Greek Doctors Arrested as Investigators Probe Circumstances of Giorgos Mazonakis’s Death

Greek authorities arrested two doctors linked to the private medical practice in central Athens where singer Giorgos Mazonakis was due to undergo scheduled plasmapheresis shortly before he suffered cardiac arrest.

A case has been opened against the doctors on a charge of endangerment resulting in death under Greek criminal law, and the matter is expected to proceed to prosecutors.

The death of the 54-year-old artist remains a leading story in Greece and Cyprus, where Mazonakis enjoyed widespread popularity, while news outlets across the Balkans have also followed the case.

Investigators are now focusing on the events leading up to his collapse. Mazonakis had gone to the central Athens practice for a scheduled plasmapheresis, a specialised treatment that removes blood plasma, shortly before he suddenly became critically ill.

Authorities must determine what procedure had been planned, whether it had begun, who supervised it, what medical assessment preceded it and whether the premises had the necessary licence, equipment and specialist staff.

Forensic experts are also expected to establish the cause of death and assess whether it was connected to events inside the practice.

A three-decade career in Greek music

Born in Nikaia, Piraeus, in 1972, Mazonakis remained a prominent figure on the Greek music scene for more than 30 years.

He began singing professionally while still young. In 1992, while performing at a night venue in Patras, he was noticed by PolyGram, and he released his first album the following year.

He subsequently became one of the best-known performers in contemporary Greek laïko music, a pop-folk genre rooted in the 1950s and 1960s. He scored a succession of commercial hits and maintained a strong presence on Greece’s live music and nightlife circuits.

Mazonakis also had a devoted following in Cyprus and among Greek communities abroad, performing in Germany, Australia and the United States.

In recent years, he served as a judge on the television programme The Voice of Greece.

His popularity extended beyond Greek-speaking audiences, particularly in the Balkans. He performed in Sofia in 2012 and returned in 2023, then gave a concert in Tirana in December 2024.

News of his death was reported immediately by media outlets in Bulgaria and Albania.

What investigators are examining

A central question is what happened immediately before Mazonakis’s cardiac arrest and whether the scheduled treatment had started.

Greek media reported that the doctor identified as responsible for his care testified that the plasmapheresis had not begun and that his condition deteriorated suddenly while preparations were under way.

The reports, citing the doctor’s testimony, said Mazonakis had also visited the practice the previous day. The doctor described his condition as compromised and referred to difficulties with his speech.

Investigators are expected to review the symptoms recorded, tests conducted, medical history obtained and the reasons given for allowing the procedure to proceed.

The doctor’s husband, who is also a physician and registered proprietor of the practice, reportedly told investigators that he had not personally treated Mazonakis and that his wife was responsible for the singer’s care.

New investigative findings have raised further questions about events inside the practice.

On Thursday, police spent several hours searching the premises and seized electronic devices, records, medical supplies and other material. They also searched the doctors’ home.

Broadcasting service ERTnews reported that paramedics said the plasmapheresis machine was operating when they arrived. An initial technical review reportedly showed that the machine had remained switched on for 45 minutes during its most recent use, although a more detailed examination is needed to establish exactly when it was operated.

Police are also investigating a discrepancy in the timeline. The doctor reportedly said Mazonakis arrived at around 16:30, even though emergency services had been called shortly before that. Investigators believe he had been at the practice for at least three hours.

After reviewing the new evidence, the two doctors were arrested and a case was opened against them.

Greek health minister describes procedure as highly demanding

A separate inspection is examining the premises’ licensing and operating conditions.

Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said the facility was registered as an internal medicine practice rather than a clinic.

In his initial remarks, Georgiadis said plasmapheresis was not permitted in a practice of that type and ordered an immediate inspection by the Athens Medical Association.

On Thursday, he described plasmapheresis as a “very heavy” procedure that is carried out only in hospital settings.

The minister stressed that the precise cause of death and any question of liability must be established through the forensic and wider investigation.

A specialised medical procedure

During Thursday’s joint inspection by police and representatives of the Athens Medical Association, two plasmapheresis machines were discovered. Greek media reported that the equipment had not been identified during association inspections in 2024 and 2025, leaving questions about whether the necessary authorisation existed.

Athens Medical Association president Giorgos Patoulis said the premises were licensed as an internal medicine practice and that the association had no record of such equipment.

He stressed that plasmapheresis is a specialised procedure requiring appropriate machinery, trained personnel and strict standards.

The doctors’ lawyer maintains that the machines were properly declared to the medical association and that the practice operated lawfully.

Greek media are also questioning the regulatory framework governing specialised procedures in private practices. The Central Health Council is expected to examine the issue and determine the conditions under which such treatments may be performed.

What is plasmapheresis?

Therapeutic plasmapheresis (therapeutic plasma exchange) is a treatment in which blood passes through a device that separates and removes plasma. The red and white blood cells and platelets are returned to the body, while the removed plasma is replaced with a special solution.

Doctors Konstantinos Giannakas and Thanos Dimopoulos of the University of Athens Therapeutic Clinic told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that the treatment has specific medical indications, including for certain serious haematological, neurological and immunological diseases.

It requires a patient assessment beforehand and continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation. Although generally safe when performed under the prescribed conditions, the procedure can cause adverse effects ranging from low blood pressure and hypocalcaemia to, more rarely, allergic reactions, bleeding or arrhythmias.

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