THESSALONIKI Administrative Court of Appeals has awarded 29-year-old Cypriot, Avgoustinos Demetriou €300,000 in damages in connection with a beating he suffered at the hands of Greek police in 2006.
Demetriou was seeking €1 million in compensation for emotional distress, which he said he suffered following the brutal beating six years ago when he was a student participating in demos about the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising.
The Administrative Court of Thessaloniki first decided Demetriou would be given compensation of €300,000 over two years ago. However, the ruling was appealed by the state of Greece. But that was rejected earlier this week, with the court deciding that Demetriou would be given the full amount, instead of the €100,000 suggested on appeal.
The court said it took into account the medical records and conditions under which Demetriou was beaten, and deemed that the Cypriot had indeed fallen victim to unfair treatment by the police.
Eight policemen were found guilty for beating Demetriou while on duty and undercover. Although sentenced to between 15 and 39 months in prison, they were allowed to buy off their sentences for €5 a day.
Meanwhile, Demetriou himself has also been charged for his involvement in the riots in November 2006, prior to the beating. His trial is expected to start in October.
Cyprus Mail