Triantopoulos will not run in the next elections after referral to Special Court over Tempi

New Democracy MP Christos Triantopoulos announced on Tuesday he will not run in Greece’s next general elections, as eKathimerini reports, after he was referred the same day to a Special Court over alleged interference at the scene of the 2023 Tempi rail disaster.

Triantopoulos, a former deputy minister for climate crisis and civil protection, categorically denies the charges. He has said his role was limited to coordinating state aid and informing the public, denying he ordered asphalt to be poured at the scene or debris to be removed, and has said he will challenge his referral to trial.

Four other officials were also referred to the Special Court in the same case: former Thessaly governor Kostas Agorastos, former civil protection secretary general Vasilis Papageorgiou, police chief Agapios Harakopoulos, and fire service official Evangelos Falaras.

The Tempi rail accident happened on 28 February 2023 and left 57 dead, one of the worst tragedies in Greek railway history, which has remained at the center of political debate in the country.