Famed composer Mikis Theodorakis lashed out at Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, after prosecution was launched against the left-wing Popular Unity Party leader Panagiotis Lafazanis, due to his persistent activist push to block the auctions of foreclosed homes.
Lafazanis faces possible charges of possession and use of guns and of violating the law concerning flares and fireworks.
He has underlined that he has never owned or used a gun or possessed flares and fireworks.
This morning, he and dozens of supporters staged a protest outside the General Police Directorate of Attica (GADA), where he declared that refuses to be questioned and legitimise the actions of prosecutors and police.
“They will see that I shall soon be the accuser, and not the accused,” he said.
Theodorakis blasted Tsipras and charged that he is employing the tactics of “the communist hunters of post-Civil War Greece”, comparing him to the notorious Public Security Minister of dictator Ioannis Metaxas, Konstantinos Maniadakis.
Maniadakis created a bureau for the prosecution of communists, socialists, and democrats, who were tortured by being forced to sit naked on a column of ice and by the forced drinking of castor oil, until they signed a declaration of remorse.
Mikis Theodorakis’ statement, published on his website, is as follows:
“Panagiotis Lafazanis, a former SYRIZA minister and currently a party leader, has been summoned by State Security, as was done to intimidate leftists and democrats, during the dark days of post-Civil War Greece.
So you have now become another Maniadakis, Mr. Prime Minister?
The speed with which you have backtracked is worthy of admiration.
Shall I also expect my own summons “for an affair concerning me” [the phrase used to summon suspected communists], (and in the long run Makronisos) an island of exile]?
I am jumping the gun…
Hands off Lafazanis (and every Lafazanis)!
That is all I have to tell you.”
Greek Police statement
In a statement, Greek Police said that the summons for Lafazanis was issued on orders from the Athens Lower Court Prosecutor’s office. It also states that the State Security Division for the Protection of the State and of the Democratic Form of Government, before which Lafazanis was called to appear today, “is competent for the investigation of cases concerning the impeding of the operation of the state”.
