Tributes flow after the death of former Greek President Christos Sartzetakis

·

Former Greek President, Christos Sartzetakis, passed away early on Thursday morning in a hospital in Athens at the age of 92.

Sartzetakis had been hospitalised in the intensive care unit of Athens’ Laiko hospital and died in the early hours of Thursday of respiratory failure, the hospital said in a statement.

Who was Christos Sartzetakis?

Born in April 1929, Sartzetakis held the largely ceremonial post of president of Greece from 1985-1990, a politically tumultuous time in the country.

Sartzetakis was also an investigating judge in the 1963 murder of politician, Grigoris Lambrakis, by right-wing extremists, and was lauded for resisting intense political pressure during the case. Lambrakis’ killing triggered mass protests and a political crisis.

Christos Sartzetakis.

The former Greek President was fired from the judicial branch in 1968 during the military dictatorship, arrested, tortured and imprisoned without trial. He was eventually released in 1971 and was reinstated into the judiciary after the fall of the junta in 1974, rising to become a Supreme Court judge in 1982. 

He was nominated as president by the socialist PASOK party in 1985, and served in that position until May 1990.

Paying tribute to the former President:

In a message after hearing of Sartzetakis’ death, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Sartzetakis was known for “the denunciation of unconstitutional mechanisms in the Lambraki case. Those who, unfortunately, came to the fore with the seven-year dictatorship, leading to his own persecution.”

“During the 1989-90 period, in an atmosphere of intense political tension, his work on the formation of a government was impeccable,” the PM added.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou spoke of a “principled servant of Justice who, in difficult times for the country and its democracy, handled as an investigator the case of the murder of Lambrakis with exemplary independence and judicial ethos, [and] paying…a heavy price in the years of the junta.”

“Later, as President of the Republic, he honoured the office with conscientiousness, dedication and a high sense of responsibility in the execution of his duties,” she said.

Movement for Change (KINAL) leader, Nikos Androulakis, also expressed his condolences to the late President’s family, noting that “he was a patriot who consistently served the public interest, Justice and Democracy.”

Former socialist Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, said Sartzetakis supported democracy “bravely and stubbornly,” in adverse conditions and expressed his condolences to his family.

Sartzetakis is survived by his wife and their daughter.

Source: AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Pantazopoulos turns down overseas offers to chase redemption with Western Sydney Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers defender Anthony Pantazopoulos says he rejected several overseas opportunities to stay in Sydney.

Shark app downloads surge after fatal attack on surfer Mercury Psillakis

Downloads of the NSW SharkSmart app have surged following the fatal shark attack on surfer Mercury Psillakis at Dee Why Beach last month.

Honorary Doctor of Business awarded to Arthur Sinodinos AO

The Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, former Ambassador to the US and Senator for NSW, was yesterday admitted to the degree of Doctor of Business. 

Five men jailed for life over murder of Greek tourist Antonis Antoniadis in London

Five men have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Greek tourist Antonis Antoniadis, who was stabbed to death.

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

You May Also Like

Kostas Moutsoulas on his upcoming role in a modern Greek Australian play

Kostas Moutsoulas speaks with the Greek Herald on his role in the contemporary Greek Australian play A House on an Island in the Aegean.

Hellenic Parliament delegation visits the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW

Hellenic Parliament delegation visited the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW on Tuesday, 25 March. Read more here.

Kytherians return to Roxy Theatre in Bingara for nostalgic dinner dance

Kytherians gathered at the Roxy Theatre in Bingara over the weekend for the Kytherian Association of Australia's 'Back to Bingara' event.