An Athens police officer is facing serious charges of child abuse, including sexual abuse of four of his five young children and forcing his wife, also a police officer, to participate in incest.
The 45-year-old suspect, who served in the prestigious Parliament guard, has a history of violence and disciplinary problems, raising concerns about how he remained on the force despite repeated red flags.
The disturbing case has shocked the nation and sparked renewed calls for stricter measures within the Greek police to identify and remove officers who pose a danger to the public or their own families.
The suspect had been reprimanded and even convicted multiple times for violent behavior, including assaults and domestic violence.
Despite this, he continued to serve, even being assigned to the security detail of high-ranking police officials.
The suspect's mother expressed her shame and sorrow in a televised statement, apologizing to the victims and describing her son as a "monster."
Child psychologists will be interviewing the children to gather further evidence, while authorities continue to investigate.
The case highlights a deeply troubling issue within law enforcement and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current procedures for dealing with officers who exhibit patterns of violence and abuse.