A Startling Legal Battle Unfolds in Gstaad

In a shocking turn of events, 87-year-old Panagiotis "Taki" Theodoracopoulos recently stood trial before the criminal court in Thun, accused of attempting to rape a journalist back in 2009. This incident has sent shockwaves through the tranquil community of Gstaad, where the accused maintains one of his residences. In a decisive verdict, Theodoracopoulos was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, albeit with the execution postponed and a two-year probationary period. His lawyer has subsequently filed an appeal.

The Accused - Taki Theodoracopoulos

Taki Theodoracopoulos is a prominent figure with an intriguing past. Born into a wealthy Greek shipping dynasty, he divides his time between residences in Gstaad, London, and New York. In his youth, he earned recognition for his accomplishments in the Greek national tennis and karate teams. Today, he is known for his work as a journalist and columnist.

A Fateful Night in Gstaad

The incident that led to Theodoracopoulos' trial occurred in the early months of 2009, at his residence in Gstaad. He had invited an editor friend, an assistant, and two young journalists for a weekend getaway. The group indulged in dinner and drinks on the first evening, followed by skiing and more socialising on the second day. The alleged victim shared her room with one of the other women, who departed the following day. After another night of drinking that evening, the accused is said to have entered the plaintiff's room and attempted to rape her.

Conflicting Accounts

As with many cases of this nature, the accounts of the parties involved diverge significantly. The accused vehemently denied the allegations, claiming he had never entered the woman's bedroom and suggesting a conspiracy between the alleged victim and his editor friend. However, the plaintiff's account remained consistent, describing the events to the police in London and the public prosecutor's office in a manner consistent with the indictment.

An Unexpected Delay in Reporting

The plaintiff's decision to report the incident years after it occurred raises questions. She initially refrained from coming forward due to concerns that her accusations against a wealthy and respected individual would not be believed. She also wished to protect her superior, with whom she had travelled to Gstaad, and maintain her career as an author and journalist. It was only after her boyfriend, now a parliament member, urged her to file a complaint and documented her injuries with photographs that she decided to take legal action.
Notably, a decisive factor that finally spurred her to press charges was a column written by the accused. In it, he had defended film producer Harvey Weinstein and mocked the many so-called "victims" who only wanted to present themselves as activists.

The Judge's Verdict

In this challenging case where there were no witnesses, the judge had to rely on the psychology of testimony to assess the credibility of the parties involved. The accused's statements lacked consistency, with notable contradictions in his account of events. On the other hand, the plaintiff's testimony remained consistent, detailing events and her emotional state during the alleged assault.

In light of the evidence presented, the judge ultimately sided with the prosecution, sentencing Theodoracopoulos to twelve months' imprisonment, with execution deferred and a two-year probationary period. Additionally, he was ordered to pay the plaintiff 5,000 Swiss francs in compensation, as well as the defence and procedural costs. The defendant's lawyer promptly filed an appeal when the proceedings concluded.

Based on AvS | Hansueli Gammeter