Corfu serial rapist re-arrested and held on new rape charge

·

A convicted serial rapist released early from a half-century prison term was under police guard in a Corfu hospital on Monday after suffering severe injuries trying to evade arrest on new rape charges.

Police said Dimitris Aspiotis, 47, would undergo surgery for severe back and leg injuries he suffered after falling off a seaside cliff on Saturday in the island’s southern Lefkimmi area, close to the popular Kavos tourist resort.

The suspect had to be extracted by the fire service and rescue teams brought in by sea.

Dimitris Aspiotis was re-arrested on Saturday after falling off a seaside cliff trying to evade police. Source: Keep Talking Greece.

The arrest followed a two-week manhunt in which more than 100 police, assisted by sniffer dogs, took part. During that time, the suspect, who was armed, is believed to have hidden in a remote area.

On May 9, a woman living in the area with her partner had told police that Aspiotis allegedly abducted her, kept her prisoner in a forest and repeatedly raped her over two days before she was able to escape.

Aspiotis had been convicted in 2012 of raping three female tourists in the same area in the summer of 2010. He was sentenced to a total 53 years in prison.

However, Greek law doesn’t allow convicts to serve more than 25 years in prison and usually release can be secured considerably earlier on health grounds, or if they have worked for a certain part of their sentence in prison workshops.

But Aspiotis was freed after just six years in 2018, under a new law aimed at lessening severe overcrowding in the country’s prisons. That law was heavily criticised when a series of violent criminals were freed after serving a fraction of their terms, and has since been scrapped for cases of rapes and other violent crimes.

Greek media reports said Aspiotis had carried out the 2010 rapes shortly after being released from prison where he had served time for another three rapes.

Police found a loaded hunting rifle, knives and survival equipment cached near where Aspiotis was arrested. Source: Ekathimerini.

Under the terms of his 2018 release, he had been obliged to appear regularly at his local police station and wasn’t allowed to leave the island.

Police said they found a loaded hunting rifle, knives and survival equipment cached near where Aspiotis was arrested.

Sourced: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Paul Afkos OAM: ‘Greek Australians are more Greek than Greeks living in Greece’

There is much information on Mr Afkos online. He is the longest serving post-war President of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia.

How accurate are film representations of Greek Australian culture?

Australia's multicultural space allows its film industry to depict and dissect the cultural lives of those who reside Down Under.

Greece leads world’s largest shipping fleets

Greece continues to dominate in global shipping capacity, per the latest United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data.

Marina Raphael named artistic director for Elie Saab’s handbag line

Marina Raphael, founder and creative director of her namesake handbag brand, has been appointed as Elie Saab’s newest artistic director.

Three Greek coffees among the world’s best

The recent list of top coffee drinks worldwide, presented by Taste Atlas, features 62 varieties, with three Greek coffees securing spots in the Top 10.

You May Also Like

Water bombers and crew return to Australia after fighting wildfires across Greece

Four water-bombing helicopters and twenty crew members have been redeployed back to Australia from Greece.

Sydney’s Beta Events named among world’s most beautiful venues

Sydney bar, Beta Bar & Gallery, has been named one of the most beautiful and Instagrammable hotspots to visit in the world for a drink.

John Tsalapatis stands trial over fatal crash in SA

John Tsalapatis is on trial in District Court this week for allegedly killing Bernice Sternberg by driving dangerously in 2021.