The trial for the murder of 28-year-old Kyriaki Griva—stabbed to death outside the Agioi Anargyroi police station by her 39-year-old ex-boyfriend—continued today at the Athens Mixed Jury Court in an atmosphere of intense emotion and escalating conflict.

The defendant’s mother, Sophia Markou, resumed her testimony, once again insisting that her son is not a “woman-killer.” Her statements sparked strong reactions from Kyriaki’s grieving family, particularly when she said she still visits her son in prison every Wednesday.

At that moment, an emotional exchange broke out in the courtroom:

Kyriaki’s mother: “You get to visit your child every Wednesday. I go to the cemetery every Saturday and stare at a headstone, waiting three years to see if the marble has faded.”

Defendant’s mother: “Did I want my son to be a killer? Do you think I wanted to be buried that Sunday? Why didn’t the mother go and bury the father instead…”

Kyriaki’s father: “That’s what he wanted. He’s a woman-killer.”

Shortly after, the tension escalated when a prosecutor referred to a comment made by the defendant’s mother the day before, criticizing Kyriaki’s appearance.

Prosecutor: “Yesterday, you described the victim as ‘some kind of emo.’”

Defendant’s mother: “That’s how I saw her.”

She went on to deny claims by the victim’s family that her son had tattoos of Nazi or satanic symbols, and dramatically asked the court to let him remove his shirt to prove it.

Defendant’s mother: “They said he had Nazi symbols—I want him to take off his shirt so you can see for yourselves.”

Kyriaki’s father: “Then show us the eagle tattoo on his neck… What is he, a representative of Germany?”

Defendant’s mother: “It’s just birds… lined up.”

For the first time during the proceedings, the accused spoke up from the defendant’s bench, igniting new uproar in the courtroom.

Defendant: “Then let her father show us his tattoos too.”

Kyriaki’s parents: “She’s speaking now! Do you hear how hypocritical he is?”

At that point, the judge intervened and called for order in the courtroom.

“Let All of Us Be Judged”

The day had already begun with raised voices. As the accused entered the courtroom under police escort, Kyriaki’s father shouted: “Bravo to the boy who’s not a woman-killer!”

During cross-examination of the defendant’s mother, the prosecution challenged her claims that her son had been a drug addict.

Defendant’s mother: “If you want to judge me, judge me—but judge all of us. Judge Kyriaki’s mother too, who testified she knew about the abuse for six years and did nothing.”

Defendant’s mother: “Yes, he killed the girl, and that’s the worst thing.”

Kyriaki’s father: “And you come here calling her a slut.”

Prosecutor: “Do you have any medical records or evidence to support your claims about his drug treatment programs?”

Defendant’s mother: “I didn’t know my son was going to kill someone so I could get those documents ahead of time.”

Prosecutor: “Is your son asking the court for a reduced sentence?”

Defendant’s mother: “There are psychiatric reports. I’ve been through hell. He buried us all as a family.”

Kyriaki’s father: “It was Kyriaki who was buried.”

Defendant’s mother: “That’s the worst thing that happened.”

Kyriaki’s father: “And yet you came here to insult her.”

Defendant’s mother: “She told you she had problems.”

Kyriaki’s father: “And I told him to stay away from her.”

“Kyriaki Knew”

The defendant’s mother repeated her claim that Kyriaki “knew what she was getting into” when she got involved with her son.

When the prosecution brought up a past suicide attempt allegedly made by the defendant, the witness took offense:

Defendant’s mother: “Don’t say ‘allegedly.’ He killed—yes. Punish him for that. But don’t you say ‘allegedly’ to me. Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?”

She also denied accusations that her son was lazy and surviving on welfare.

Defendant’s mother: “What was Kyriaki feeding him with—400 euros a month? You keep talking about handouts. He worked many jobs.”

Later, in a moment of uncontrolled emotion, she added:

Defendant’s mother: “If he meant to kill her on that day, why didn’t he do it the day before? He was with her for three hours. I’m not justifying him. He gave no prior sign he would pick up a knife. I don’t excuse it. I don’t know why he did it. I can’t sleep at night—I see her in my dreams. What mother could bear that?”

Prosecuting lawyer: “And what about this mother? And this father?” (pointing to Kyriaki’s parents)

Defendant’s mother: “I’m with them. But Kyriaki’s mother admitted she knew. The father didn’t know—he didn’t have a relationship with her.”

“She Had Issues Too”

The defendant’s mother insisted again that Kyriaki “had problems.”

Defendant’s mother: “No mentally healthy girl stays in an abusive relationship for six years—especially when she has a support system. She told me herself she was self-harming because of problems at home. Those two should never have been together. One depended on the other.”

She claimed that in 2022 they were separated for three months, and it was Kyriaki who fought to get back together.

Defendant’s mother: “He’s not a woman-killer. I don’t know what happened that night. I’m not asking you to set him free. He should pay for what he did. He had no right to take her life. I ask that he be sentenced fairly—but with his medication. I don’t want him coming out of prison dangerous. I’m not asking for my son to walk free. Just that he doesn’t leave prison insane.”

Prosecuting lawyer: “But the defense is seeking acknowledgment of mental illness—asking for a lesser charge.”

Defendant’s mother: “I don’t know anything about that.”

Defense: “From the very beginning, we stated that we’re not asking for mitigating circumstances.”

“He’s Not a Woman-Killer”

Later, Sophia Markou again denied that anyone ever warned her her son was dangerous.

Defendant’s mother: “This idea that he killed her because she was going to break up with him isn’t true. He had pushed her away before. He’s not a woman-killer. If he were, he wouldn’t have left her alone for three months in 2022. It’s not femicide—he could have killed the guy she was with instead. He knew what he was doing. He went to the police station to kill.”

Prosecutor: “And that’s not femicide?” (shows graphic photos of Kyriaki’s body and wounds)

Defendant’s mother: “Why are you doing this to me?”

At that moment, Kyriaki’s parents walked out of the courtroom in tears.

Prosecuting lawyer: “He came up from behind—how many stab wounds did he inflict? Does it concern you?”

Defendant’s mother: “Are you implying I was involved? I’m barely alive. There were five stab wounds.”

Defense lawyer: “His mother didn’t commit the crime, but she’s paying the price for it.”

The trial continues.