In its announcement, the Greek Police writes the following:
«Today's front page of the Journalists' Newspaper published, with reckless opportunism, an allegation of the alleged torture of the Aristotelis Papazacharoudakis, who is accused of a host of offenses in connection with the events of Tuesday, March 9, in Nea Smyrni.
The newspaper’s allegations are completely false and extremely defamatory toward the Greek Police. We demand that the Journalists’ Newspaper publish a retraction in the same section of the newspaper and in the same manner.
The reality is as follows:
During his detention, until he was brought before the investigating authorities, neither he nor his attorney—with whom he had unimpeded communication—raised any allegations of torture or ill-treatment, nor did they express any desire to be examined or transferred to any medical facility for first aid.
It should be noted that, from the very moment of his arrest, the detainee was provided with the necessary documents informing him of the rights he possesses as a detainee, which he signed and which were included in his case file.
It is worth noting that the defendant had made the same allegation of torture when he was arrested again for vandalism at the political office of M. Varvitsiotis.
For more detailed information, the following details are provided:
Mr. Papazacharoudakis was brought before the court at 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, charged, among other things, with the following felonies: a) attempted murder in concert; b) causing an explosion; c) manufacturing and possessing explosive materials; and d) arson with intent. On Thursday, March 11, he was brought before the Athens Public Prosecutor for Misdemeanors and was charged with the above offenses. He subsequently requested and was granted a postponement by the investigating judge to present his defense before her on Saturday, March 13.
It is emphatically reiterated that throughout the entire period of his transfer to the Athens Police Headquarters and his detention, there was not a single allegation of unfair treatment, either by him or by his defense attorney.
Finally, it should be noted that the Internal Affairs Division of the Hellenic Police has been tasked by a prosecutor all complaints regarding the use of excessive force by police officers in connection with the events of March 9.»
