The Mixed Court of Appeal examined the case of the murder of a prisoner in the Chania prison, in the Agia area, a serious event that shook the penitentiary institution in the summer of 2019.

The incident occurred on July 20, 2019, when a group of Albanian prisoners clashed with a group of Pakistani prisoners inside the prison premises. Three people were injured in the clash, one of whom was stabbed with an improvised knife and suffered serious injuries. The prisoner, of Pakistani origin, was immediately transported to the General Hospital of Chania, where he underwent surgery. He fought for his life for two days in the Intensive Care Unit, but did not survive his injuries.

Following the investigation, four prisoners were arrested for involvement in the murder. According to the investigation file, they were identified through footage from the prison’s security cameras. Of the four defendants, one – of Albanian origin – who had been in custody all these years, was found guilty of murder by the Court of Appeal with a Mixed Jury and sentenced to life imprisonment. The other three defendants were acquitted of the charges due to suspicion, in accordance with the legal principle “in favor of the defendant”. The court’s decision concludes a long legal process for one of the most serious incidents of violence recorded in the Chania prison.