New details are emerging about the hostage situation that took place yesterday in an apartment in Nikaia, where a 49-year-old man was holding his 44-year-old partner captive inside the home.
A few hours after the Greek police intervened, the 44-year-old spoke to reporters and described the dramatic moments that unfolded in the apartment on Sophocleous Street.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
She referred to the mental health issues faced by the 49-year-old man, as well as the situation that prevailed in the hours leading up to the police operation.
As she stated, “He started shouting and threatening to set off a bomb,” while noting that she feared her partner might harm himself, which is why she decided to open the door to the police officers.
“I crossed myself before opening the door, to spare him the trouble of hurting himself,” she said.
Here’s what the 44-year-old woman said in detail:
“He’s dealing with a mental illness. It’s not a taboo in Greek society, just as it isn’t anywhere else in the world. I, too, am dealing with a problem of my own. He hadn’t been taking his medication properly, so he started to lose his mind. He became more aggressive—verbally, at least. He’s never laid a hand on me; he’s stood by me like no one else, like an angel. He’s an exceptional young man, raised exceptionally well by exceptional parents—though they, too, may be a little afraid of the problem. That he won’t be able to function on his own. He’d been making an exceptional effort lately and had reached a very good level of functioning. He started rambling and shouting; the whole neighborhood could hear him. I was scared. He’d go outside and yell at everyone. I was very upset, but I was afraid to react. I was afraid of how he’d take it, but I’m not a psychiatrist. He was taking me in because I’d lost both my parents. He understood my situation—I’d been evicted. We’ve been living together for five years.”
And she continued: “Last night he started shouting all sorts of incomprehensible things, including some threats. Some neighbors were alarmed by the shouting. I didn’t speak to him so he’d stay calm […]. The police came. He said something I don’t know if he meant. He said, “I’ll take you with me and leave this life too. And I’ll plant a bomb if I ever see a police officer banging on the door again.” It’s been a traumatic experience for him.”
Finally, when asked if she was the one who opened the door to let the police officers in, she replied:
“Yes, I’m sorry to say this, because I know he’ll hear it and it will upset him. I crossed myself before opening the door, to spare him the trouble of hurting himself. He was taken to Dafni. It was something he needed. It can happen to anyone. He had his doctor.”
Source: Proto Thema
