‘Voices of Justice’ has produced an independent audio documentary that brings to light a case of long-term abuse and gender-based violence, documenting the victims’ journey through trauma, struggle and vindication.

In August 2024, a Taekwondo coach from Ilioupoli was convicted of abusing underage female athletes, aged 12 and above, for over a decade. The women who were deceived, abused and finally vindicated are speaking out publicly for the first time.

Three women – victims of the 45-year-old coach (their real identities are withheld for their protection) – take part in the podcast: Ioanna Voziki, president of the Irida Sports Club, and Kelly Dragazi, former partner of the convicted Taekwondo coach.

“At first, I felt like I was part of a pack of wolves. We were all so strong, even the women who hadn’t been sexually abused by him. In other words , a group with a common purpose, without any rivalry between us. Whether we were victims of abuse, former partners, or the president of the Association who was simply doing her duty by coming to help us,” Th. characteristically states. 

Following their decision to take legal action against him, he was remanded in custody in March 2023. In August 2024, judges and jurors sentenced him to 96 years for four rapes, four indecent assaults and one attempted indecent assault. The final sentence, after the charges were consolidated, amounted to 50 years’ imprisonment. Indeed, the court did not grant him any mitigating circumstances. 

The women who decided to stand up to the 45-year-old Taekwondo coach speak of their own experiences, the manner and pattern by which he managed to gain the trust and deceive the local community, the moments in the courtroom whilst addressing every victim, regardless of gender or background, to draw strength and speak out. 

“A child, aged 12 or 13, or even 20, if they fall victim to abuse, can they really know what they’ve been through? Firstly, it’s not that easy to realise that this is abuse, and secondly, to know what to do,” explains T., whilst E. points out: “They think it’s very easy to suddenly wake up and say that he tried to rape me, especially when you’ve spent ten years growing up in one place. It’s not very easy, but once you find the strength to speak out, you’ll manage it.” 

“Voices of Justice” is being screened for the first time to the public as part of the Competition Section of the 27th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (6–16 March). The first broadcast coincides with the hearing of the case at the Court of Appeal following the appeal lodged by the coach, who was convicted at first instance. On 14 March 2025 for the misdemeanours and this coming October for the felonies for which he has already been convicted. 

The podcast will be available online on the Festival’s website, as well as via a QR code at various selected festival venues.

CREDITS

Research / Script: Andreas Vagias

Music: Kostas Grountas

Recording / Sound Mixing: Kostas Tsiolis

Illustration: Martha Kolokotroni

The audio documentary ‘Voices of Justice’ was created with the aim of giving victims a platform to tell their stories and share their experiences, whilst ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear, offering courage and strength.

As M. explains, “we were encouraged by the fact that some women who were abused in the past have now come forward and spoken out. And the truth is that I’m quite happy because lately I’ve been hearing other allegations within Taekwondo, so I feel that I and the other girls have helped them to tell their truth, so in a way it’s as if we’re helping one another.”

Kelly Dragazi, the convicted coach’s former partner, urges:“Don’t let those monsters control you if you feel even the slightest trace of shame for them; I have nothing else to say on this: take a stand, do something.”

Following the initial research and contact with those who were to take part, the production team behind this podcast decided to go ahead with it, believing it is an issue we must highlight, not only for the women who experienced abuse and deception but —as they themselves wished— so that everyone who is, even at this very moment, in danger might hear it. 

Our intention was, on the one hand, to protect the women who spoke to us and to give them the opportunity to describe the context in which anyone of any age can find themselves in the position of a victim, avoiding details that cause further trauma, but also to highlight their decision to form a group and take action against him, thereby breaking the cycle of long-term abuse, not only for themselves but also for potential future victims. 

At the same time, as part of the journalistic investigation, a written request was sent to the Hellenic Taekwondo Federation for an interview with a representative to comment both on this specific case and on allegations that have arisen within the sport. By the time the documentary was completed in early January 2025, the request had remained unanswered.  

At every stage of this podcast’s development—from the journalistic investigation and interviews to the script, the musical composition, the final mix, and the creation of the visuals accompanying the audio documentary— we have endeavoured to give the testimonies the space they need to unfold the story, focusing on the reality they experienced, their resistance and their struggle until justice was served. 

The creation of this podcast was based entirely on personal effort, without external funding.

To complete it, resources are required to ensure a high-quality technical result, as well as time and commitment to research, recording the interviews, writing the script, composing original music, the mixing process and the visual design. 

As it is not sustainable for an independent production to operate under conditions of unpaid labour, we are asking for your support.

Your support is essential, not only to cover part of the costs of this particular production, but also to enable us to continue documenting and highlighting stories that deserve to be heard, and to allow us to proceed with future projects on different themes that we have already set in motion.

Whilst the usual practice for fundraising is to state the purpose from the outset in order to secure the production process and its completion, in this specific case, the subject matter itself—which is particularly sensitive —as well as our intention to protect the women who entrusted us with their testimonies, did not allow us to make anything public earlier. 

So, with the podcast now complete and ‘Voices of Justice’ ready to be heard, we are reaching out to anyone who wishes to contribute freely. 

Your support is not only about financial contributions but also about raising awareness of the case itself, thereby supporting the victims involved. 

Following the appeal lodged by the coach, who was convicted at first instance, the case will be heard on appeal on 14 March 2025 for the misdemeanours and this coming October for the felonies for which he has already been convicted. 

We are not setting a specific financial target because: 

✔ Independent productions do not set a fixed limit: In the same way that a crowdfunding campaign would work, the amount we raise from the voluntary contributions of those who choose to support us will enable us to proceed with our next production. The stories that need to be told cannot be limited by numbers – every contribution allows more voices to be heard. 

✔ Support is open: There is no minimum amount – every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference. 

✔ It’s not just about this podcast but what’s to come: We want to keep producing new independent investigations and audio documentaries, ensuring their sustainability.

Your support is crucial because: 

✔ It allows more people to learn about a case where trauma became a struggle, leading to justice. 

✔ It strengthens independent journalism, giving us the freedom to investigate and create. 

✔ It helps this work continue, allowing us to highlight new stories and issues that deserve to be heard. 

🔹 With a financial contribution – Any amount, large or small, allows us to carry on. 

🔹 By spreading the word – Share ‘Voices of Justice’ so that it reaches more people. 

🔹 By supporting independent producers – Your help ensures that we can keep going.

🎧 Be part of the effort – Support “Voices of Justice” so they can continue to be heard!

Andreas Vagias was born in Athens and has been working as a journalist since 2009. He began with the documentary series Exantas and has since worked in print, radio, online media and television. He is a creator of audio documentaries with a regular presence in the Podcast Competition Section of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. In 2023,‘Mute – The Silent Violence of the Partition’won the ‘Award for the Development of an Original Podcast’ created by iMEdD in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. He is the creator of the all-day participatory event for the Sunday holiday, “The ELEUSIS of Sunday”, which was included in the artistic programme of Eleusis 2023 – European Capital of Culture. 

Kostas Grountas is a musician and composer from Athens. He has been a member of numerous bands on the Athenian scene (Teflon, Dull Days, Paidi Trauma, etc.), playing various musical instruments (vocals, guitar, electric bass, synths, electric piano, percussion).  As a member of the band ‘Teflon’, he has written the lyrics and co-written the music for 2 LPs and 2 EPs, whilst he has also composed music for theatre (Georg Büchner’s ‘Woyzeck’ by the 4Frontal [2014, 2015], Molière’s “The Misanthrope” by Giorgos Giannarako [2011], “Mitrio” by the Nomades Artcore group [2015, 2016], ‘Out of One’s Mind’ by Maria Giagianou, directed by Giorgos Giannaros [2013], ‘From the Unknown’ by Zoe Drakopoulou [2024] etc.), film (Voluntary Exit [2011], Ampelokipoi [2012], Al Jazeera’s: “A German Europe? The Union disunited | Empire” [2013], Being An Islander [2023] etc.) and podcasts (Mute: The Silent Violence of the Partition Wall [2023]).

Kostas Tsiolis is a musician. He lives and works in Athens. He composes music for theatre, dance, film and installations. He collaborates with bands, singer-songwriters and musical ensembles. He is a founding member of the band Teflon and the improvisational group Farwest Mandolinistic Orchestra. Since 2010, he has been building specialised electronic circuits for musical instruments and sound/lighting installations. He occasionally works professionally in sound engineering, photography and editing. His work focuses on forms that combine art with art.

Martha Kolokotroni was born and raised in Thessaloniki and has been living and working in Berlin for the past few years. She studied Architecture and Urban Design in Thessaloniki, New York and Zurich. She has worked as a researcher in Singapore and Mumbai, focusing on different methods of representation, both at a theoretical and practical level. Over the years, her research has evolved into alternative forms of visualisation, with illustration taking a special place in her creative journey. At the same time, she is involved in writing and illustrating children’s books in collaboration with Diaplasi Publications, whilst she has recently expanded into the field of VFX & Animation.