Two doctors charged with murder after Yorgos Mazonakis died during plasma procedure
Prosecutors say new evidence shows the singer died during an illegal plasma procedure and charges were upgraded from exposure to danger to murder with possible intent.
Two doctors from a private clinic in Athens have been charged with murder with possible intent following the death of popular singer Yorgos Mazonakis during an illegal plasma procedure last week, prosecutors said.
Authorities initially opened an investigation for "exposure to danger with fatal outcome," but said new evidence collected during the inquiry prompted an upgrade of the charges to murder with possible intent. The two physicians were arrested on Thursday.
Details from the investigation
According to investigators, Mazonakis, 54, suffered a heart attack and died while a medical procedure was underway — contradicting the doctors' original claim that the treatment had not been started. Greek media reports cited by investigators indicate the singer died roughly an hour before emergency services were informed and summoned.
Prosecutors said the device used for the treatment, identified in reports as (herapeutic plasma exchange), likely recorded the entire session including the moment the heart stopped. The clinic is registered as a private internal medicine practice but, investigators allege, had been carrying out stem-cell therapies and plasma separation without the necessary permits.
The practice is owned by a married couple: a general practitioner and his wife, described in reports as a gynecologist and holder of a master's degree in molecular and developmental biology, who was performing the plasma separation when Mazonakis collapsed. The couple will be brought before a public prosecutor and investigating judge tomorrow morning.
Mazonakis was buried today at the cemetery in the Nikaia neighborhood of western Athens. His body had been on display in the local church since yesterday evening and a liturgy preceded the funeral, which drew large crowds of friends, colleagues and fans. Born in 1972, he began his career in the early 1990s, enjoyed a more-than-three-decade career with over ten albums and thousands of performances, and had been scheduled to perform a concert in Athens on 20 September marking his 33rd year as a performer.
Photo: press material from the event
