Norwegian man goes on trial over policeman’s murder in 2023

A 45-year-old Norwegian national is due to go on trial on Thursday in Kilkis, northern Greece, accused of the murder of an off-duty police officer in central Thessaloniki in December 2023.

The defendant has been charged with willful murder while in a calm state of mind for allegedly stabbing 32-year-old Hellenic Police (ELAS) officer Theoharis Kalathas during an altercation at a bar in the northern port city.

According to the charge sheet, the incident began when the 45-year-old got into an argument with one of the people in Kalathas' group - his best man. The argument escalated into a fight, during which the Norwegian man pulled out a small palm knife he carried on his belt and stabbed the man in the chest and thigh. The defendant then allegedly stabbed Kalathas in the neck, puncturing an artery, when the off-duty police officer stepped in.

The incident took...