Assassination of Sokratis Giolias
Encyclopedia
The assassination of Sokratis Giolias took place 2010 when Giolias, a Greek investigative journalist and broadcaster, was shot approximately 15 times at close range outside his home in Ilioupoli
, Athens
. The identities of the gunmen are unknown, but the weapons used were linked to previous attacks by the Sect of Revolutionaries
, one of the deadliest terrorist
groups currently active in Greece. Giolias was the first reporter to be murdered in Greece
in over 25 years.
, blog
ger and broadcaster. At the time of his death he was head of news at a private Athens radio station, Thema FM. He was the co-founder of the news blog 'Troktiko' according to various sources including a confirmation made by the website following his death, though he had denied this association in his lifetime. The blog became one of the most popular sources of news in Greece. In the wake of the shooting, Troktiko went offline, citing security reasons. (See Below)
According to his colleagues, he had planned to publish the results of an investigation into corruption in the coming days.
He was recognizable to the Greek public due to his close association with Makis Triantafyllopoulos
, one of Greece's best known investigative journalists. Prior to becoming an investigative journalist, he worked as a sports journalist.
testing, identified the bullets as being fired by the same guns used by a violent terrorist group called the "Sect of Revolutionaries". According to the test results released by the police, both weapons used to kill Giolias had previously been used in the shooting of anti-terrorist policeman Nektarios Savvas, who had been guarding the home of a witness in a terrorism trial in early February 2009.
Police later stated that they were searching for a well-trained, professional team of hit-men composed of approximately three men posing as security agents. The getaway car used by the gang was later discovered abandoned and burned in a different section of the neighborhood where the shooting took place.
gave an interview in which he expressed his "outrage and grief at this heinous and murderous act". This was followed shortly by government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis who held a press conference where he stated that, "Democracy and freedom of speech cannot be gagged, terrorized or intimidated. The Government unreservedly condemns this cowardly and cold-blooded murder."
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) released a statement of their own shortly after the shooting in which it "ask[ed] the Greek authorities to ensure that this murder will be investigated quickly and thoroughly and that the public be informed of its progress continuously." The group also expressed their hope "that those responsible for this horrific murder will be brought swiftly to justice."
On 24 July 2010, the blog Troktiko announced that it was to suspend its activities online indefinitely in response to the assassination, the note read
Ilioupoli
Ilioupoli is a suburb in the south-southeastern part of metropolitan Athens, Greece.The area was made up of farmlands to the west and the central part and the rocky areas of the Hymettus to its east. Mixed farming was common in the western part. Much of the agricultural production that time was...
, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. The identities of the gunmen are unknown, but the weapons used were linked to previous attacks by the Sect of Revolutionaries
Sect of Revolutionaries
The Sect of Revolutionaries is a Greek paramilitary group. They first became known in February 2009 with a threat to kill Greek police officers at the Police-station in Korydallos...
, one of the deadliest terrorist
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
groups currently active in Greece. Giolias was the first reporter to be murdered in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in over 25 years.
Life and career
Sokratis Giolias was a Greek investigative journalistInvestigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
, blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger and broadcaster. At the time of his death he was head of news at a private Athens radio station, Thema FM. He was the co-founder of the news blog 'Troktiko' according to various sources including a confirmation made by the website following his death, though he had denied this association in his lifetime. The blog became one of the most popular sources of news in Greece. In the wake of the shooting, Troktiko went offline, citing security reasons. (See Below)
According to his colleagues, he had planned to publish the results of an investigation into corruption in the coming days.
He was recognizable to the Greek public due to his close association with Makis Triantafyllopoulos
Makis Triantafyllopoulos
Efthimios Triantafillopoulos is a highly controversial Greek journalist. He was, along with Themos Anastasiadis, the editor of the Proto Thema newspaper and host of two television programmes, Zougla and Kitrinos Typos on Alter Channel. He uses his TV programmes to expose major political scandals...
, one of Greece's best known investigative journalists. Prior to becoming an investigative journalist, he worked as a sports journalist.
Threats to journalists
While there had been several previous reports of threats against prominent Greek journalists from the various left-leaning revolutionary parties vying for power in recent years, including a shooting at the headquarters of Alter TV linked to the Sect of Revolutionaries which caused no injuries, there had never been any direct action taken in furtherance of these threats. After the attack, the group released a statement in which they warned, "Journalists, this time we came to your door, but next time you will find us in your homes."Assassination
At approximately 5:30 (UTC) on 19 July 2010, three men dressed as security personnel and wearing bullet-proof vests arrived at Mr Giolias's residence in one of the many suburbs of Athens. Using the intercom, the men then summoned Giolias out into the street from his home under the pretense that his car was being stolen. Once Giolias stepped outside, the men reportedly opened fire with at least two semi-automatic rifles. The group fired a total of 16 shots and according to reports hit him "at least fifteen times" before driving away. He died instantly.Investigation
In the wake of the shooting, police, after ballisticBallistics
Ballistics is the science of mechanics that deals with the flight, behavior, and effects of projectiles, especially bullets, gravity bombs, rockets, or the like; the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance.A ballistic body is a body which is...
testing, identified the bullets as being fired by the same guns used by a violent terrorist group called the "Sect of Revolutionaries". According to the test results released by the police, both weapons used to kill Giolias had previously been used in the shooting of anti-terrorist policeman Nektarios Savvas, who had been guarding the home of a witness in a terrorism trial in early February 2009.
Police later stated that they were searching for a well-trained, professional team of hit-men composed of approximately three men posing as security agents. The getaway car used by the gang was later discovered abandoned and burned in a different section of the neighborhood where the shooting took place.
Reaction
In response to the shooting, Greek Parliamentary speaker Philippos PetsalnikosPhilippos Petsalnikos
Filippos Petsalnikos is a Greek politician who has served as Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament since 2009....
gave an interview in which he expressed his "outrage and grief at this heinous and murderous act". This was followed shortly by government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis who held a press conference where he stated that, "Democracy and freedom of speech cannot be gagged, terrorized or intimidated. The Government unreservedly condemns this cowardly and cold-blooded murder."
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
(OSCE) released a statement of their own shortly after the shooting in which it "ask[ed] the Greek authorities to ensure that this murder will be investigated quickly and thoroughly and that the public be informed of its progress continuously." The group also expressed their hope "that those responsible for this horrific murder will be brought swiftly to justice."
On 24 July 2010, the blog Troktiko announced that it was to suspend its activities online indefinitely in response to the assassination, the note read
- Goodnight Greece, the birthplace of democracy has ended up killing the freedom of expression.
- Sokratis, we wish you well and hope you're watching over us.