Greek singers Kaiti Garbi and Dionysis Schinas ordered to return performance advances

The Athens Three-Member Court of Appeal has ruled against Greek singers Kaiti Garbi and Dionysis Schinas in a long-standing legal dispute involving business owner Giannis Tsakoumakos. The case concerns approximately 60,000 euros paid to the artists as advances for scheduled performances at a nightclub shortly before the pandemic, which ultimately did not take place. The court’s decision (No. 4001/2026) overturned a previous lower court ruling that had favored the couple.

Under the final judgment, Dionysis Schinas is required to return 40,000 euros, while Kaiti Garbi must return 20,000 euros. The court determined that the defendants failed to prove any legal justification for retaining the funds once the performances were cancelled, deeming the retention of these advances illegal. While earlier reports suggested the couple had won the initial trial, the appellate court definitively labeled that prior judgment as entirely erroneous. The ruling compels the artists to repay the full amounts to Tsakoumakos, concluding a legal battle that has lasted several years.