Mariela Mikonous murders, 1750
| Native name | Δολοφονίες Μαριέλας Μικόνους |
|---|---|
| Date |
1750 AN (V.1750 – VII.1750) |
| Location | Koulotópoi, Astérapolis, Prosgeiosi Basileus |
| Also known as | The Koulotópoi murders |
| Motive | Disputed |
| Outcome | Three convictions (1751 AN) |
| Inquiries |
State Protection Authority Prefect's Criminal Investigation Division |
| Litigation | Imperial State v. Delakis, Phokas, and Anthemios (1751 AN) |
The Mariela Mikonous murders were a series of killings that occurred between V.1750 AN and VII.1750 AN in Koulotópoi, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Astérapolis, Prosgeiosi Basileus. Four young women were found dead over a ten-week period, with Mariela Mikonous, a 19-year-old textile worker, being the first identified victim. The case attracted unprecedented national attention, exposing the lawlessness and vulnerability of populations residing in the laspokhória surrounding the ceremonial capital.
Background
Koulotópoi is one of several informal settlements ringing Astérapolis, housing an estimated 18,000 to 25,000 residents in improvised structures beyond the formal urban boundary. The settlement lacks municipal services, and the Prefect's office maintains minimal presence. The population consists primarily of former Kuls, economic migrants, and impoverished citizens. The settlement's name, considered derogatory by many residents, references the large Kul population.
Murders
The body of Mariela Mikonous was discovered on 14 V.1750 AN in a drainage ditch near the settlement's eastern edge. She had been reported missing three days earlier by coworkers at a textile processing facility in the Harbor District. Over the following weeks, three additional bodies were recovered in similar circumstances. All victims were women between 17 and 24 years of age employed in service or manufacturing positions in the formal city.
Initial investigation by the Prefect's Criminal Investigation Division proceeded slowly, hampered by the absence of reliable records, witness reluctance to engage with authorities, and jurisdictional ambiguities regarding crimes occurring in informal settlements. The case gained national prominence following coverage in the Astérapolis Herald and subsequent reporting by media outlets in Petropolis and Aqaba.
Investigation and trial
The State Protection Authority assumed coordination of the investigation in VI.1750 AN following public pressure and intervention by the Ministry of the Interior. Arrests followed in VIII.1750 AN when three men, Stavros Delakis, Nikos Phokas, and Georgios Anthemios, were detained based on witness testimony. All three were residents of Koulotópoi with prior criminal histories.
The subsequent trial, held before the Prosgeiosi Basileus District Court in early 1751 AN, resulted in convictions for all three defendants. Delakis and Phokas received death sentences, carried out in public on IV.1751 AN. Anthemios received a sentence of life imprisonment with hard labor.
Aftermath
The murders prompted renewed debate regarding conditions in the informal settlements and the adequacy of law enforcement presence. The Prefect's office announced increased patrols and the establishment of a permanent police post in Koulotópoi, though residents and advocacy groups have disputed the effectiveness of these measures. A memorial to the victims was erected by community members near the site where Mikonous was discovered.
