The developments in the case of dead children i Amalada and Patras. He is the central person Irina Murtzoukouhas not been charged, but her mother insists that she is responsible for the children’s deaths and how he beat her when she was pregnant.
Disputing Ms Popi‘s claim, the 24-year-old left suspicions that her second child died during an argument at the family home.
At the same time, Irini, who complained that her mother’s brother raped her, was conflicted, claiming “she cannot say who” abused her.
“Is it all a coincidence?”
Speaking to OPEN, Irini Mourtzoukou’s mother, Popi, reiterated the loss of her newborn at the age of 24. Listening to Mrs. Popi, Irene held her head and wept.
“Today I have a clear mind, I had it yesterday,” he said and expressed that he had suspected Irini for years: “I and other relatives suspected that she had done something to the child. We were afraid of the environment.” After the death of her sister, Irene, “she was quite sad.”
Regarding the statement she gave to the police after the child’s death, Mrs Popi claimed that she did not express her suspicions about Irini because “my husband shouted and said we are liars”. .
Mrs. Popi says that only Irini was awake when the family’s baby passed out. Regarding Irini’s two children, Mrs Popi said she now suspects “that she has insulted them”. “All five children have the same symptoms and signs. Is it all a coincidence?”, he said.
When Mrs. Popi was asked by Stavros Balaska if she will take Irini’s side if she is brought to trial and convicted for the cases of the dead children, she replied: “Will I take her side when she killed my child? When he killed my grandchildren and the others?’ Listening to her mother, Irene grabbed her head and asked: “what is she saying?”.
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“Is she going to blame her second granddaughter?”
“If she was my mother, she wouldn’t blame me. You don’t go out and blame a child, no matter what he did to you,” said Irini Mourtzoukou for her part.
“Is she going to blame her second grandchild? He said I killed my sister, he shouldn’t have said that. Let’s put it another way: the last time there was an incident that she knows well and I got in the middle, when she almost split the child’s head open and she was screaming, I took it and left I the house. How will I know if the child suffered something from that day?”, said Irini.
She then said that her second child may have been hit in the head during an argument at the family home. “Be careful Poppy,” she told her mother. Regarding her sister who died, Irene claimed that she was in the same area and “heard her coughing” and called her mother immediately.
Mrs. Popi declared that when she saw her daughter in the crib “she wasn’t alive and I didn’t tell Irene so she wouldn’t be scared.” Regarding Irini’s father, Mrs Popi says she “never believed what (Irini) was doing because he was never by her side”.
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“Irina’s father knew what happened”
Mrs. Popi claims that she took Irini to psychologists and after 16 years “she would refuse any help, get up and leave. He knows very well if I run.”
The psychologists “kept asking me how I was doing with my mother. I didn’t answer and I left”, said Irini and emphasized how much she is hurt. “She knows what’s bothering me,” she said.
“I wish I could go back in time and be alone with my father,” said Irene, and the mother insisted that the father was absent.
“Her father knows what happened there. We accused Irini of doing something and she drove us crazy saying we are not doing well,” Mrs Popi said.
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The contradictions about rape
Irini Mourtzoukou is conflicted about the rape she says her mother’s brother suffered at the age of 9.
The 24-year-old claimed that “this is complete rape. I can’t say who exactly. I said brother, but there is a family, there is a person. I was not raped by her brother, I can not say who. Here we call someone else Baglio”, he insisted.
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Irene’s mother: “She is too jealous of me” - She tells of the beating
Irini’s mother while speaking to MEGA again claimed that Irini attacked her when she found out she was pregnant.
“I’m too jealous, I don’t know why. When he saw that I was good with my family and whoever I was with, he sought to make a mess of them. When he found out I’m pregnant we killed in the woods. Starts, punches, to the stomach. Come out and say what about this girl? It’s not that I don’t love her… And whether I love her or not, she knows it,” said Mrs. Popi.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Child Psychiatrist Dr. Sophia Alexiou on the Mourtzoukou Case
Editor: Good morning, Dr. Alexiou. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the tragic case surrounding Irini Mourtzoukou and the deaths of her children. This situation appears to be laden with familial conflict and psychological distress. Could you provide some context on the dynamics that might be at play here?
Dr. Alexiou: Good morning! Yes, this case is deeply concerning, not just for the loss of the children but also for the psychological implications for all involved. The relationship between Irini and her mother, Popi, seems fraught with dysfunction, which often breeds an environment of blame and denial—both of which we’re seeing.
Editor: Right. Popi, Irini’s mother, has publicly accused her daughter of being responsible for the deaths, despite the fact that no charges have been filed against Irini. How does this sort of accusation impact familial relationships and mental health?
Dr. Alexiou: When a family member accuses another of something as severe as causing a death, it can create a rift that might never heal. For Irini, this kind of accusation can result in immense guilt, shame, and possibly a sense of victimization, particularly if she feels she is being held responsible for events beyond her control. The conflicting narratives can cause significant distress and confusion, especially in a family already struggling with dysfunction.
Editor: Irini mentioned that her mother has accused her of hurting her second child, which complicates her defense. How might accusations within a family context affect the mental state of the accused, especially when they involve past trauma?
Dr. Alexiou: Accusations like this can significantly exacerbate feelings of trauma. Irini’s statements about her childhood experiences—suggesting a history of conflict and trauma—indicate a cycle of abuse that might manifest as behavioral issues or severe anxiety later in life. This could potentially influence how she interacts with her children, regardless of her intentions. For her mental health, grappling with being accused of harming her children while dealing with her own unresolved traumas could lead to a breakdown in her mental health.
Editor: I want to highlight Popi’s assertion that she feared for her children’s safety and that she felt the environment was not conducive to healthy development. How can fears like this manifest in a family dynamic?
Dr. Alexiou: Fear within a family can lead to hyper-vigilance among its members. This could cause family members to become suspicious or accusatory. Popi’s fears could be projected onto Irini, leading her to believe her daughter is a danger to her grandchildren. This projection can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where an environment of suspicion may indeed lead to behaviors that validate those fears, whether real or imagined. Such stress can encourage a toxic cycle where blame overshadows support, which is essential for mental wellbeing.
Editor: It’s also heartbreaking to consider the emotional fallout of this situation. Irini was noted to have wept while listening to her mother speak about the children’s deaths. How important is emotional support in handling the fallout from family tragedies like this?
Dr. Alexiou: Emotional support is crucial. It can guide individuals through the grieving process, ensuring they don’t feel isolated in their pain. In Irini’s case, a supportive environment would help her process her grief and any associated feelings of guilt or blame more constructively. Healthy communication can create pathways for understanding, rather than exacerbating division within the family.
Editor: In light of these complexities, what recommendations would you give to families facing similar accusations or interpersonal strife following traumatic events?
Dr. Alexiou: It’s essential for families to seek professional guidance—whether it be therapy or counseling—as they navigate their grief and conflicts. Communication, grounded in empathy and understanding, is vital. The family should strive to create safe spaces for dialogue. This includes addressing accusations in a constructive manner without defaulting to blame. Ultimately, healing can occur only when everyone involved is willing to confront their pain collectively.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Alexiou, for your insightful analysis on such a tragic and complex issue. Your perspective helps shed light on the psychological struggles so often hidden beneath the surface in family dynamics.
Dr. Alexiou: Thank you for having me. These discussions are essential as we work to understand and support families in distress.