Compensation Awarded Over Security Failures
A Greek court has ordered the Athens Municipality to pay approximately 150000 euros to the father of Dora Zemperi after finding that the Second Cemetery of Athens lacked proper security measures.
The ruling grants 80000 euros plus interest to Kostas Zemperis, who had filed a lawsuit arguing that the municipality failed to protect visitors at the cemetery it owns.
The Murder That Shocked Greece
The killing of the 32 year old tax officer in October 2017 caused widespread outrage across the country due to its brutality.
Dora had visited the cemetery in the afternoon to light a candle at a relative’s grave when Emmanuel Soropidis attacked her during what he initially claimed was a robbery attempt.
Claims by the Convicted Killer
Soropidis later changed his account during questioning by alleging that two unidentified individuals had instructed him to murder her because of her tax office role.
The court dismissed these allegations as unreliable after examining the case file and finding no credible evidence to support them.
The attacker ultimately received two life sentences without any mitigating factors at both trial and appeal.
The Family’s Legal Fight
Kostas Zemperis argued that the municipality bore responsibility for failing to ensure safety in the cemetery where his daughter was killed.
The recent court decision affirmed that position by awarding compensation that totals around 150000 euros once interest is included.
Dora Zemperi’s Background
Dora had worked as a tax auditor at the Piraeus tax office since 2013, building a career that was cut short by the violent crime.
