Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis has pledged full transparency in the investigation of the murder of 28-year-old Kyriaki Griva outside the Agioi Anargyroi police station.
Speaking at a meeting with local authorities in the Central Macedonia Region, including the region’s governor, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and Thessaloniki-area mayors, Chrisochoidis expressed his personal devastation over the incident and offered condolences to the victim’s family.
“Four days after the tragic incident on April 1, in which a young woman, Kyriaki Griva, was lost, we continue to mourn and grieve,” the minister said, adding that he was “personally devastated, as this is one of the most unpleasant and difficult moments I have experienced in my long career and my personal life.”
Griva was fatally stabbed by her estranged former partner after seeking protection from him at the police station. The suspect, a 39-year-old man, appeared before the 25th regular examining magistrate to face charges including murder, illegal possession of weapons, weapons use, drug dealing, and possession.
During his testimony, the suspect claimed that he suffered from chronic mental health issues, for which he had received hospital treatment in the past, AMNA reported. His defense team is expected to request a psychiatric evaluation and argue that his mental state should be considered a mitigating factor in his trial.
Minister Chrisochoidis emphasised assured that the truth would be revealed as soon as possible. He also highlighted the need for changes in Thessaloniki’s policing and announced the deployment of 500 new police officers to address crime and traffic issues in the area.
“The investigation is being carried out at great speed. I am certain that it will end very soon and the truth will be fully revealed. The Hellenic Police have sent all the material to all authorities – and are themselves conducting an investigation – without concealing anything. There will be the whole truth, in full, and this will be presented to the citizens of our country and, at the same time, there will be an assessment that must be carried out so that such incidents don’t happen again,” he said.
The decision to detain the suspect at the psychiatric ward of a jail followed his testimony, during which he claimed to have no memory of the crime. His defense team presented documentation of his psychiatric history, indicating seven hospitalisations in the last decade, which they intend to use as mitigating circumstances in his trial.
