Does Greece respect the Principle of Equality before the Law?[1]

Sixteen years have passed since the trials of the “17 November” organization. The majority of defendants received very heavy sentences, sentences that the appeal trial more or less upheld. The first instance lasted many months and for a long time held the interest of public opinion and the entire legal community, mainly because, for the first time, a special criminal procedure was adopted.

Today most of the detainees, making use of existing legislative provisions which have always been in force, have been released and returned to their families and professional activities. For many years, many of the detainees, both ones who were released and ones who remain in prison, made normal use of the existing legislative provisions, followed the relevant legal procedures, and were granted regular leave on personal or educational grounds, like so many other common law prisoners. The institution of prisoner leave has a long history and is internationally recognized as good practice in prison systems in all civilized democracies.

There is, however, in Greece a prisoner who is an exception to the above legal framework and whose basic rights are systematically violated. Alexander Yotopoulos, 75 years old today, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2003, continues to deny the charges of which he was convicted. According to the law in force, Yotopoulos has for many years been entitled to both regular and medical leave. In addition to this, since he satisfies the time limit for firm detention as well as age criteria, he is entitled to file a request for release like any other prisoner.^[2]

Around the world, democratic systems are mainly judged on their application of the principle of equality of all before the law. The attitude of the judicial and penitentiary authorities towards Alexander Yotopoulos is today incomprehensible to all of us who believe in genuine respect for the principle of equality of all before the law, even in times of economic, social and political crisis. Almost half a century after the fall of the dictatorship, democracy in Greece must be vigilant to confirm its unwavering commitment to fundamental principles. When exceptions are made to the democratic rule of law, those exceptions are always a greater threat to democracy than the threats they are designed to suppress.

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[1] Text, followed by signatures, published in the journal Documento, Sunday 9 June 2019.

^[2]  Pursuant to Article 55, paragraph 1 of the Penitentiary Code, the lifer is entitled to regular leave after 8 years in prison. Alexander Yotopoulos made his 8th request on 5 November 2018 and received no answer. Normally the answer, whether negative or positive, must be given within 2 months. With no answer, no appeal is possible.

Signatures

Anastasia Skarpalezou, biologist
Dimitra Karahaliou, historian
Anna Panopoulou, accountant
Hariklia Konstantaki, doctor
Popi Tsigili, retired professor
Vassilis Bougisis, retired mathematician
Maria Valavani, retired mathematician
Dimitra Palapanis, teacher
Margarita Aggeli, philologist
Antonis Vezyroglou, architect
Sotiria Kotsiani, designer
Nikoletta Christopoulou Duye, retired teacher
Maite Peynaud, retired teacher
Nikos Kyranakis, freelance writer
Antonia Plataniotou, artist
Daphne Kazaga, mathematician
Dimitris Dimopoulos, editor
Stamatina Provatas, teacher
Athanasios Papazafeiris, private employee
Maro Dimakou, teacher
Anna Skandalis, librarian
Anastasia Lykourgia, retired pharmacist
Maria Portelanou, retired teacher
Christos Boulotis, university professor
Athena Georgani, teacher
Thodoris Zeis, lawyer
Dimitris Matsas, teacher
Thucydides Ravasopoulos, professor
Matina Brati, teacher
Melpomeni Papatheodorou, professor
Rozita Sourai, teacher
Paraskevi Efthymiou, teacher
Ioanna Adamopoulou
Theano Maltezou, teacher
Dimitris Skarpalezos, assistant professor of mathematics – Paris (retired)
Vivi Kalogerakou, nurse
Pigi Dimopoulou, retired
Cleopatra Lavkiotou, teacher
Ariane Alavanou, translator
Eleftheria Zei, historian
Popi Fasitsa, retired professor
George Fotiadis, retired teacher
Tassos Stavropoulos, retired teacher
Stamatis Nikolaou, retired teacher
Epamineondas Lagopatis, retired civil engineer
Natalia Angelopoulou, teacher
George Votsis, journalist
Vasiliki Stamati
Maria Foti, visual artist
Theodoros Soufis, teacher
Costas Zikos
Evi Foka, psychotherapist
Precious Andreadis
Frosso Kapetanaki
Martia Kapetanaki
Niki Kapetanaki
Irini Kapetanaki
Olga Giorgou
Takis Tsapogas, retired chemical engineer
Antonios Famelis
Costas Taskos
Theodoros Stamatopoulos, mathematician
Magdalene Tympa
Grigoris Chronopoulos
Efthalia Kostourou
Petros Tamouridis, geologist
Nikos Vorgias
Lenna Reppa
Dimitris Kazagas, mechanical engineer
Costas Zouraris, MP for Thessaloniki I.
Ioannis Agrafiotis, goldsmith
Stavros Agrafiotis, goldsmith
Christos Mitsis, IT consultant
Eftychis Bitsakis, university professor
Stelios Moschouris, archaeologist
Nasos Theodoridis, lawyer in Athens
Michalis Moutousis, psychiatrist – psychotherapist clinical professor at UCL
George Papapanagiotou, private employee
Sofia dimopoulou
Froso Dimakou – Kiaou, lawyer
Makis Kavouriaris, Academic
Tassos Adamopoulos, teacher
Dimitris Kousouris, Academic
Bitter Maxime
Bloch Béatrice University of Bordeaux Montaigne
Boissel Pascal Psychiatre Union Syndicale de la Psychiatrie
Bretagnolle Marie-Claude Retired professor
Canu Jean-Marie Retired academic
Chaouat Gérard Emeritus Research Director CNRS
Chaulet Rudy Lecturer Hispanic civilization University of Franche Comté
Dufaux Frédéric Géographe University Paris-Nanterre
Enclos Philippe Retired teacher-researcher
Fountain Jacques Honorary lecturer
Gautero Jean-Luc University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis
Hélier Odile Anthropologist
Kosadinos Manolis Union activist psychiatrist
Kourounis Angélique Journalist
Krzywkowski Isabelle Professor of literature Université Grenoble Alpes
Lacroix-Riz Annie Emeritus Professor of Contemporary History Paris-Diderot University
Leroux Benoit Lecturer in sociology University of Poitiers
Malifaud Jean Retired teacher-researcher
Marie Elisabeth Theater director Strasbourg
Migneau Monique Professor
Monmaur Paul Retired Academic
Nadi Mustapha Professor University of Loraine
Pacobi thomas
Pfefferkorn Roland Emeritus Professor of Sociology University of Strasbourg
Pinto Josiane Teacher-researcher Paris 7
Tancelin Philippe Poëte, philosopher, emeritus professor University of Paris 8
Vianna Pedro Economist, poet, theater man
Gleizes Jérôme Economist University Paris 13 Councilor of Paris
Bornais Claire Teacher, trade unionist FSU
Cassuto Yves Teacher (FSU)
Périllat Marie Cécile Teaching trade unionist
Martin Myriam Regional Advisor Occitanie Ensemble FI
Percebois Bruno Pediatrician doctor (France)
Legros Alex Syndicaliste CGT Le Mans
Patrice PerretAlt Jean Claude Anesthesiologist
Bernadette Peynaud
Robert Arrambide retired A.N.P.E.
Nelly Lecuona retired bank
Jean-François Lecuona retired maintenance officer Crédit Lyonnais
Sébastien Aldama manager
José Pons Hospitality
Marie-Elena Pons SP
Virginie Dhérin Librarian
Louis Aldama-Larre retired bank
Annie Péré Pharmacist
Maribel Etchezaharreta, anesthesiologist;
Lino Muraro retired pharmacy assistant
Gaxuxa Elhorga-Dargains, English teacher, retirement
Nathalie Aubert-Cassiau, retired supervisor
Alicia Fléchant, student in architecture
Jeanine Eceiza, retired
Catherine Azam, teacher
Hélène Céret-Lartigue, director
Marie-Hélène Gascué; teacher (in Basque)
Jacques Sentenac Physiotherapist
Marion Brecq-Guirao, physiotherapist
Jean Duprat, retired Pôle Emploi
Nelly Duprat SP
Laurinda Gonçalves, teacher
Raynald Ottenhoff university professor
Marivonne Ottenhoff, doctor
Moutarou Ayeva, anesthesiologist
Georges Wijnants antiquaire
Gaxuxa Ibarburu educator
Monique Alvarrez sp
Annie Martin, director
Jeannette Villadomat retired
Marie-Ange Boullé childminder
Philippe Boulé, S.N.C.F.agent
Emmanuel Lévèque SNCF executive
Denise Lévèque English teacher
Michel Lévèque intendant lycéee
Anna Ottenhof lawyer
Daniel Lombart architect
Véronique Lombart architect
Gracianne Balerdi-Deluc teacher
Marie Giraud accountant
Pascal Giraud high school director
Frédéric Ricaud, director of middle and high school
Bénédicte Ricaud, French documentalist teacher
Virginie Bauvais, French documentalist teacher
Jean-Michel Grocq EDF executive
Maite Irazoqui, teacher director
Mireille Oliveras teacher director
Aimé Oliveras retired French army helicopter pilot
Pascale Estaynou home sales
Andrée Péré sp
Michèle Risso teacher
Xabi Etchevers upholsterer
Sylvie Laroudé hairdresser
Gérard Le Cazoulat electrician
Claudine Bissier, cashier
Jean-Claude Vaschald bank
Fanny Dupuisat bank
Beatriz Etchezaharreta, caregiver
Christophe Duval IT specialist
Frédéric Salha plumber
Christophe Herran dentist
Elianne Herran Addictologist
Xalbat Itçaina, teacher
Marlène Vignaud teaching director,
Françoise Peyre, specialist teacher
Alain Peyre designer
Isabelle Ferrand English teacher
Norbert Lefranc journalist
Nicole Alciba teaching director
Gorka Cuevas electrician
Gérard Sallaberry retired
Jean-Michel Grémaux prof dir
Xabi Lacombe podiatrist
Séverine Dabadie photographer
Nicole Peynaud
Françoise David-Chimitz
Ghislaine Commère