A Greek court has sentenced 40-year-old Athanassios Kourelis to life imprisonment, plus an additional five years and a €1,000 (approx. AUD 1,630) fine, for the premeditated murder of 28-year-old Kyriaki Griva outside the Agioi Anargyroi police station in Athens on April 1, 2024.
Griva was killed just steps from the police station, where she had gone to report Kourelis for domestic abuse. The brutal attack—carried out in broad daylight—sparked public outrage across Greece, with widespread condemnation of police inaction and calls for systemic reform in handling reports of gender-based violence.
The mixed jury court unanimously found Kourelis guilty of murder committed in a calm mental state, illegal possession and use of a weapon, and drug possession for personal use. Judges rejected his plea for diminished responsibility due to alleged mental health issues.
According to prosecutors, Kourelis had been stalking Griva using a smartwatch he had gifted her, controlling her movements and behaviour. On the day of the murder, he waited outside the police station and stabbed her five times, with such force that he broke bone—actions the prosecution argued could only have been committed with “sobriety and determination.”
“The forensic analysis of digital evidence shows he acted with calculation, clarity, and intent,” the prosecutor told the court. “This was not a crime of passion. It was execution.”
The court also dismissed Kourelis’ claim of attempting suicide after the murder, with the prosecutor arguing it was a staged act to support an insanity plea.
“If he truly wanted to die, he would have. Just as he made sure Kyriaki did,” she said.
Kourelis remained expressionless as the verdict was read. In contrast, the victim’s family broke down in tears. Her father, Thanasis Grivas, shouted toward the convicted killer, “Do you see, Thanassakis, what you did? You turned her into a photo.”
Outside the courtroom, Kyriaki’s mother, Despoina Kallea, voiced a mix of grief and defiance. “My Kyriaki has been vindicated. Her soul has been vindicated,” she cried.
“Tomorrow I will visit her grave, bring her sweets, and tell her the news. I’m certain she’ll come to me in my sleep, as always.”
“Another monster is behind bars. Let this be a message to every woman waiting for justice—be strong, speak out. Even if it’s hard, I will stand by every woman who needs me.
“I’ll keep fighting until femicide ends, until the excuse of ‘psychiatric problems’ is no longer used to silence the truth. Today, Greek justice stood tall. My child’s soul has found peace.”
Her father echoed her sentiment and said, “Justice would be my daughter here beside us, smiling. That can’t happen. But today, justice erased the excuse of ‘I kill and pretend to be insane.’ And for that, we thank the court.”
