Sotira: Former weightlifter Siderenou appeals to court for compensation

Eleni Siderenou, a 67-year-old former convict, is appealing to the court. of.

Eleni Siderenou, through her lawyer Giannis Polychronis, drags the Release Council to the bench asking for compensation, for the fact that she was not released after meeting the criteria for parole as she claims while her application was not reconsidered when she appealed to the Supreme Court and won. It therefore complains about the excessive delay of the Council despite the decision of the Supreme Court which ordered the review of its application by the Council.

She was not allowed to see her husband and son

For the same case of Siderenou, her husband is serving a 23-year prison sentence, while for a while her son ended up in the Central Prison for a drug case as well.

The 67-year-old, about a year ago, requested parole and during her interview with the Release Board, the Board had made it a condition that if she was released, she would not be able to have contact with her husband and son.

As a result, there were reactions since the prisoner during the 10 years she was held in the Central Prisons, had contact with her husband (within the framework to which they are entitled).

According to the Council, in case she was released from prison, Siderenou could not visit her husband in prison or her son out of prison, which she denied and stated that she prefers to remain in prison.

Thus, the Release Council said "no" to the release of Siderenos, taking into account the seriousness of the crime and that it is dangerous.

She was right in court - All the reports were in her favor

Siderenou's lawyer, Giannis Polychronis, then filed a request with the Supreme Court for a speedy examination of the case and today a decision was announced where the convict was acquitted and the Council should reconsider her request for release from prison.

The court stated in its decision, inter alia, that the Parole Board failed to take into account substantive factors.

He stressed that "any personal, family and other circumstances arising out of parole, the sentence he has served, the detainee's criminal record, previous opportunities given to him by a court or prison management for the detainee's intentions and plans for successful and lawful integration into society, his or her conduct during sentencing, whether he or she has actually repented, the report of the prison forensic psychiatrist, any relevant information from the the management of the prisons or the police who create a reasonable suspicion that the detainee is planning malicious acts against the victim, the victim's family or friends after his conditional release and the detainee's risk index ".

In this case, as mentioned in the decision, specific reports have been prepared, such as by the psychologist where he recorded that Siderenou is aware of her act, which is reprehensible, while, in a report of the medical officer, she refers to the multiple health problems she faces.

Also, a report of the social services department that in case of her release she will live in the refugee settlement Sotiras, describing her living conditions as very satisfactory and that she will be supported by her income paid by the family greenhouse company and by the pension she will receive. takes. Additional reports speak of her remorse for the crime for which she was convicted.

The director of the prisons regarding Siderenou did not bring any objection to her release as she has not dealt with issues of discipline or any other behavior.

The Release Council "empties"

"I note that these reports have not been dealt with by the Council, have not been evaluated and have not been weighed against the seven factors to be taken into account in its rejection decision," the judge said in his ruling, stressing that "despite positive conclusions and The positive assessments in favor of Siderenos were not sufficiently taken into account ".

As stated in the decision, "the appropriate weight was not given. In fact, I would add that some of the factors that the council took into account in reaching its rejection decision are contradictory and inconsistent with these reports, without giving any reason. I mention in particular the council's finding about the existence of a degree of danger and recurrence ".

Also in its decision, the court stood on the fact that Siderenou from 24.5.2016 has joined the Open Prison while she is granted permission sometimes to go unaccompanied to her home. This contradicts the claim that it is dangerous.

"I conclude that the contested decision suffers after it is found that there is insufficient justification for it, as well as the non-conduct of the proper investigation, with the result that the possibility of error can not be ruled out," the court concluded.

Therefore, having in his hands the decision of the court, Siderenos's lawyer, Giannis Polychronis, will re-apply for her release.

 

Source: Reporter