Maria Karystianou announced her resignation from the Board of the Tempi Victims’ Relatives Association, where she was president, on Facebook. She cited deep divisions and serious issues within the Association.
She mentioned that on Saturday, January 10, five out of seven board members asked for her resignation in a letter. She calls this decision ‘legally invalid and morally disappointing.’ Ms. Karystianou says no legal board meeting was held about her resignation. She emphasizes that only the individual can decide to resign, not others. She also points out violations of the rules and deadlines for meetings.
In her post, she talks about ‘internal sabotage’, claiming political motives are hurting the fight for justice for the victims of the Tempi tragedy. She highlights repeated refusals to share the Association’s financial statements, an issue she raised since August 2025.
Her lengthy post
‘With great sadness, I realize that despite my efforts to keep the Association united, staying silent and fighting for justice in Tempi, internal ‘sabotage’ won out over unity.’
Just yesterday, I learned about a legally invalid and morally disappointing decision made by five out of seven Members of the Association. They decided ‘among themselves’ to request my ‘resignation’ as President of the Board.
This decision is invalid because:
1st] The Board never met to discuss my resignation as President. No Board decision is valid without prior notice of the topic;
2nd] These five members decided on my ‘resignation’ during another meeting without me knowing or being present. This was due to my plan to start a Citizens’ Movement for justice for the Tempi tragedy;
3rd] A legal entity’s Board cannot decide on a Member’s resignation; it must be declared by the member themselves;
4th] Also, even for this unrelated meeting about a Member’s resignation, they did not follow the five-day notice rule required by article 5.3. case 7. of the statute.
All these actions show motives unfit for a group seeking such an important goal. They add to ongoing issues like REFUSAL to share financial statements, which I have repeatedly requested. This led me to send a written communication including my email dated 26.08.2025 to Board Members stating:
(a) It is clear (and sad) there is no willingness for cooperation but rather a focus on conflict without real engagement with important issues. This has created hostility unsuitable for our collective spirit and caused harmful delays;
(b) I called an urgent Board meeting via email for 27/08/2025 at 20:00 with agenda items I announced:
‘1st] Recording of Board’s work and Members since the Association’s founding;
2nd] Approval and Publication of Financial Statements;
3rd] Convening General Assembly for electing new Board and approving financial statements.’
Despite this, those same Board Members who invalidly decided on my ‘resignation’ did not agree to any of these actions. As a result, all blame for not disclosing financials continues to fall on me while I stay silent to protect Board Members. The peak of aggression against me was when these same five members questioned whether my presentations in the European Parliament about Rule of Law violations in the Tempi tragedy served statutory purposes.
If European railway laws had been followed, our children would be alive today. These are just a few examples among many. Despite enormous efforts and numerous legal actions towards achieving Association goals and justice for our loved ones.
Given all this, I truly feel unable to remain a Member of this Board. Therefore, due to my departure from the Association’s Board today, there are now six instead of seven Members required by article 5. of the Statute. Based on this, it is essential to convene the General Assembly to elect a new Board as I requested in my email dated 26.08.2025 so Members can decide on these three critical issues ensuring transparency and accountability.
I hope all relatives of Tempi victims and survivors unite under the Association’s leadership to elect a selfless active Board fighting for their justice.
With love and respect,
Maria Karystianou
