The former CEO of Hellenic Train, Maurizio Capotorto, has been ordered to appear before a magistrate in Greece as a suspect in the ongoing investigation into last year's horrific train crash that killed 57 people. Capotorto's summons comes after his testimony to a parliamentary inquiry into the Feb. 28, 2023, head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train in Tempi, Greece, was unanimously referred to prosecutors amid suspicions of false statements.
He is now considered a suspect in the case.
The prosecutor's order, issued in recent days, does not specify a date for his appearance.
Meanwhile, authorities in Larissa have been asked to provide updates on the main judicial probe into the crash, which is Greece's deadliest rail accident.
Any perjury charges stemming from the false testimony allegations cannot proceed until the primary investigation is complete, effectively pausing the statute of limitations on such charges.
Hellenic Train has repeatedly stated its cooperation with investigators and denied reports that the freight train was carrying hazardous materials, saying its cargo consisted of food products, metal sheets, iron wire, and empty containers.
The company insists all cargo details were in official documents provided to investigators.
The crash sparked widespread protests and accusations of government negligence, prompting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to call for clarity on the freight train's cargo.