Greek NEWS

ATHENS: Shop owned by alleged child rapist is defaced by protestors

53-year-old Elias Michos, who is accused of raping and pimping a 12-year-old girl in the Athens neighbourhood of Kolonos, had his shop and business defaced during a protest rally held in the neighbouring area of Sepolia on Saturday.

Protesters wrote slogans and threw paint on the shop's front, while minor scuffles later erupted with anti-riot police.

Shop owner Elias Michos, 53, and Ioannis Sofianidis, 42, are both in jail after testifying before a magistrate. The former was for repeatedly raping and pimping the girl, and the latter for being one of several men who sexually abused the minor.

The accused (L-R) Ilias Mihos, 53, and his "client" Giannis Sofianidis. Their names and photos have been released by the Hellenic Police. Photo: Hellenic Police

Another 33-year-old man currently in police custody will appear before a magistrate judge on Monday for being implicit in the sexual abuse case.

Two more men, aged 33 and 35, have been identified as having communicated with the 12-year-old girl online.

The 12-year-old's mother is also scheduled to appear before the magistrate on Monday is charged with the aggravated pimping of her daughter.

Michos is accused of raping the girl several times between April and August, photographing and videotaping her and uploading the material to several porn sites under fake identities. Apparently, 213 men responded asking for an appointment, and Sofianidis was one of them.

His wife, Elisavet Lekka, had been elected Athens city councillor in 2019 on the slate of Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, who belongs to the ruling New Democracy party. She was expelled from Bakoyannis’ faction due to her husband’s involvement in the crime.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Lekka referred to her “disgust” at her husband’s alleged actions adding that she has nothing to do with the alleged crimes.

The 33-year-old man is accused of repeatedly having sex with a minor for a fee. He initially contacted the girl through a chat application and subsequently met with her at least twice in the area of Sepolia. He is expected to appear before a prosecutor on Monday.

Officers also raided a brothel in central Athens late on Wednesday night, arresting four people.

READ MORE: Greece says Turkey forced naked migrants to cross Evros border.

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Athens Bureau

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