54-year-old man and his wife remanded in custody for the murder of a 21-year-old in Crete

On May 5, 2024, 54-year-old Kostas Parasiris shot and killed 21-year-old Nikitas Gemistos in Ammoudara, Heraklion, Crete. The perpetrator, who blamed the victim for a 2023 traffic accident that resulted in the death of his own 17-year-old son, rammed the victim's vehicle before shooting him six times. Following the incident, Parasiris and his 56-year-old wife, who was a passenger in the car, were arrested and subsequently remanded in custody on May 7 by order of the Heraklion prosecutor and investigator. During his testimony, Parasiris expressed no remorse, stating he would have used more ammunition if available, while his wife claimed she tried to stop him. The defense argued the act was a result of psychological distress, while the victim's family criticized the lack of prior police protection despite ongoing tensions and reported threats. The case has caused significant public outcry, leading to the suspects being transferred to prisons outside Crete for safety reasons.