The atmosphere in the courtroom was electrifying. Alexis Kougias stood tall, his hands resting heavily on the wooden defense bench. His gaze scanned the room with confidence, and his voice, steady and sharp, cut through the silence. It was a familiar sound for those present: the tone of a man who knew how to fiercely defend his clients, whether they were controversial defendants or victim families. Every word was a well-crafted argument, a calculated legal move, a bid to overturn what seemed inevitable. He was the criminal lawyer who never hesitated to clash, using his intelligence and experience as weapons, leaving nothing to chance.

From his early days in law, Alexis Kougias showed he was made for the difficult cases. In 1976, at just 25 years old, he took on the defense of Vaggelis Rochamis, a notorious criminal of the time. His boldness immediately made him known in the legal world and the media, marking the beginning of a career that would leave a deep imprint on Greek judicial history. In this case, he managed to reduce his client’s sentence, despite overwhelming evidence. He used every available legal tool, as well as his ability to sway the jury, convincing the court that Rochamis had been a victim of excessive criminal harshness.

After Rochamis, Kougias became involved in increasingly high-profile trials. In 1995, during the trial of the “Satanists of Pallini,” he defended Dimitra Margeti, who was accused of participating in ritualistic murders. He developed his strategy based on the psychological influence the other defendants had on her, presenting her as a young girl who had been led astray by the dominant personality of the group’s leader. During the trial, when one of the prosecution’s witnesses tried to portray Margeti as equally responsible as the others, Kougias intervened vigorously, deconstructing the testimony with surgical precision. His client avoided a life sentence, unlike her co-defendants.

In 2003, the tragic case of the Tempi accident, which claimed the lives of 21 students, became a central part of his legal journey. Kougias took on the defense of the driver of the fatal truck, Dimitris Ntola. In a trial where public outrage was palpable, he attempted to highlight that the blame was not solely on his client but also on the deficiencies in the national road infrastructure. Although the case concluded with a conviction of Ntola, Kougias’s defense strategy brought the issue of road transport safety to the forefront.

In 2005, Kougias took on the defense of Angelos Kana, one of the accused members of the terrorist organization “Revolutionary People’s Struggle.” He used a procedural strategy that questioned the legality of the evidence and brought into question the controversial methods used to apprehend the accused. His approach revealed weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, leading to lighter sentences.

In 2018, the case of the murder of Eleni Topaloudi marked one of the most emotional moments of his career. Kougias represented the family of the murdered student, bringing to light shocking details about the abuse the victim had suffered. His speech that day brought tears to the eyes of those present as he described in detail the pain of the family and the incomprehensibility of the horrific act. He insisted on the need for harsh punishment for the perpetrators, asserting that no leniency should be given for such a crime.

The case of Roula Pispirigou  in 2022 was another trial that caused a stir. Kougias took on her defense, questioning the validity of the forensic findings that implicated her. Despite public outcry, he remained firm in his legal stance, attempting to create doubts about her guilt.

In addition, Kougias was frequently at the center of cases that went beyond the courtroom. His involvement in cases related to the Greek financial crisis, such as the structured bonds case, highlighted his skill in handling complex financial matters. Simultaneously, his presence in cases that shook Greek football, such as the criminal organization in sports, further strengthened his reputation as a dedicated and fearless lawyer.

Moreover, Alexis Kougias was not only a skilled lawyer but also a master at managing his public image. He knew how to use the publicity surrounding the high-profile cases he took on, turning every courtroom appearance into a major event. With his intelligence and dynamism, he gained the attention of top journalists, building strong ties with them. Experienced reporters knew that a statement from him could become headline news, and he knew how to use the media to strengthen his position in every case. Whether defending notorious defendants or standing by the victims, he always found a way to control the public narrative. His name became synonymous with criminal law, not only due to his legal abilities but also because of his strategic relationship with the media, which cemented his status as the most recognizable and controversial criminal lawyer in the country.

His death on February 28, 2025, marked the end of an era for the Greek legal scene. He left behind a legacy full of intense moments, judicial victories, and controversial cases. Whether admired or criticized, one thing was certain: Alexis Kougias was a man who left his mark, a courtroom fighter who never feared standing up to anyone.