Railway executives given time to prepare defense
An investigating magistrate on Thursday gave an extension until May 26 to one former and two current executives of state-run railway operator Hellenic Railways (OSE), to prepare their defense, in connection with Greece’s deadliest train disaster at Tempe, central Greece, in February.
Spyros Pateras, former deputy managing director of OSE, current board member Athanasios Kottaras, and Stella Koliopoulou, director of personnel, face criminal charges for breach of duty, for recommending the promotion to stationmaster of the man on duty on the night of the crash.
The stationmaster, 59, was promoted despite exceeding the age limit required for the job. After the crash, he was arrested and remains in jail pending trial.
The accident occurred on February 28. A passenger train slammed into a freight train coming in the opposite direction on the same line.
