Clarinet virtuoso Aris Mougkopetros has been arrested in Athens for driving under the influence of alcohol after traffic officers caught him speeding on Makrygianni Street on Sunday morning.
The musician was detained around 8:00 am and taken to the Evelpidon court complex after breathalyzer tests recorded alcohol levels nearly three times over the legal limit.
Traffic police officers spotted Mougkopetros driving at high speed and signalled for him to pull over. Authorities reported that officers had to follow the vehicle for a short distance before the driver brought the car to a stop.
Upon noticing that the driver was impaired, officers administered a breathalyzer test. The first measurement registered an alcohol content of 0.71 mg/l, while a second test recorded 0.63 mg/l. Both readings significantly exceeded the legal limit of 0.25 mg/l for drivers in Greece.
Police arrested Mougkopetros under summary procedures and transferred him to the local police station, where he was held prior to his court appearance. Authorities imposed administrative penalties on the musician, issuing a fine of 1,375 euros and suspending his driving licence for 250 days.
Festival performance in Lamia
Hours before his arrest, Mougkopetros had performed at a traditional festival in Roditsa, near Lamia in central Greece.
An attendee at the event said the clarinetist took the stage at around 3:00 am and played solo for about half an hour. The witness added that Mougkopetros spoke to the crowd during his appearance, sharing details about his past ordeal involving the amputation of his fingers.
According to the witness, Mougkopetros departed the venue at approximately 4:30 am to drive back to the capital, where traffic police intercepted him several hours later.
Background on the artist and courts
Aris Mougkopetros is a popular Greek musician known for playing the klarino, a traditional clarinet widely featured in Greek folk music and regional celebrations known as panigyria. These festivals take place across towns and villages in Greece, particularly during the summer.
The Evelpidon complex in Athens houses the city courts of first instance and public prosecutor offices, where individuals arrested under fast track procedures are brought before a prosecutor.
