A key witness testified on Wednesday in the trial of the murder of Thanasis Kalogeropoulos, describing how a masked gunman carrying what appeared to be a Kalashnikov rifle approached the victim moments before the fatal shooting.
The hearing, which began at 10:30 a.m., opened with brief testimony from the victim’s widow, followed by prosecutor Lucas Karnos presenting agreed-upon facts from both sides.
The eyewitness, who was present at the parking lot during the incident, told the court he had a brief conversation with Kalogeropoulos about water temperature moments before the shooting. “I greeted him, and he asked about the water temperature. I told him it was 24 degrees,” the witness stated.
According to the testimony, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the witness observed a man in black clothing wearing a carnival mask entering the parking area from the east, carrying a large automatic weapon.
The witness, who was seated in his car with his seatbelt fastened, instinctively ducked when he realised the danger. He then heard gunshots, which he described as individual shots rather than bursts of gunfire.
The court heard that Kalogeropoulos‘s vehicle was later found with shattered windows, stopped against a wall near the parking lot exit.
The witness testified that he did not notice a second perpetrator, nor did he observe how the assailant arrived or fled. He mentioned seeing a young, slim woman with her husband who had witnessed the events and appeared to be in shock.
After checking with a nearby restaurant owner about the victim’s condition, emergency services were called to the scene.
During cross-examination, the witness described being in shock, attempting to exit his vehicle but struggling with his seatbelt. He remained at the scene for approximately 20 minutes before leaving for his office.
The trial is expected to continue with the presentation of approximately 250 pieces of evidence by the evidence examiner.
