Case of rapist in Exarchia exposes authorities’ failings
The case of the 23-year-old Syrian national who was arrested earlier this week for repeated attacks against women, including a 13-year-old girl, in the center of Athens has highlighted gaping omissions by law enforcement and judicial authorities.
He had been arrested in 2022 for attempted rape and incarcerated for a year pending his trial but then was allowed to walk free with no supervision due to a series of miscommunications and lapses by both police and judicial authorities. During this time until his arrest on Tuesday he launched multiple attacks against women.
On Friday, the 23-year-old, who was charged with seven counts of attempted rape and rape of women, was remanded in custody. He denied all the charges, claiming he did not remember anything and requested a psychiatric expert opinion.
He has no permanent residence and has a criminal record for offenses that he has not yet been tried for.
