The 3,000-page case file regarding the protests that took place in Skouries contains serious charges, such as forming a criminal organization, arson and construction of explosives. This case file is separate to the assault on the mining site.
The case file names 28 suspects, most of whom are local residents of Ierissos in Halkidiki. The residents argue that their struggle against the mining operations of Ellinikos Chrysos in the area of Skouries is being criminalized. Furthermore, the defense lawyers asserted that there is no supporting evidence for any of the charges and that the telephone conversations cited by authorities were recorded in May and shed no light on the case.
Meanwhile the Prosecutor of Thessaloniki has ordered an investigation in allegations that a shipment of Ellinikos Chrysos leaked into the harbor of Thessaloniki on the 5th of October. Further allegations of environmentally hazardous leaks attributed to the mining company are being investigated.
