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| Europe |
| Judge: November 17 defendants had âvisionâ |
| 2003-10-23 |
| Justiceâs blindfold slips in Greece. Hat tip: Sphaera Ephemeris. The judge presiding over the trial of 19 suspected members of the November 17 terrorist group, Michalis Margaritis, yesterday stunned even defense lawyers when he declared that he could not judge the defendants as âcommon criminals.â The issue is a sensitive one because the Council of Appeals Court Judges and Margaritisâs own three-judge court have ruled that the 19 are being tried for ordinary crimes. Recognizing political motives would have entailed a trial by a court combining judges and jurors. Addressing the defendants, Margaritis said: âI believe that inside you, you believe that you did something good. I cannot say that you are common criminals. I donât see you that way and you have sensed that. I cannot judge you as common criminals. You say that you are here because you had a vision. We will investigate this... But letâs leave ideology aside and look at the crimes. We will not convict anyone for his ideology.â Lawyer Ioanna Kourtovic, who represents alleged N17 chief hit man Dimitris Koufodinas, said, âThe president of the court said what we have been saying for months.â Coming soon: Judgement, Motivation Flava! |
| Posted by:Bulldog |
| #7 You would figure that going light on terrorists would be strictly a ME phenom, but ETA and Bader-M guys have gotten the same type of treatment. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-10-23 9:27:27 PM |
| #6 Next time I'm in court I'm gonna hammer down about 8 largish cowshrooms and declare a vision. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-10-23 8:01:08 PM |
| #5 Yes, but do they have "game"??? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-10-23 4:50:57 PM |
| #4 The Judge probably supported the Nov 17 group while in school or he may have been bribed by this guys family. Greek courts aren't known for their impartiality, so politics play heavily into the mix. Just think the Olympics are going to held there next year! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-10-23 4:49:54 PM |
| #3 Come, come. In the U.S., the judge would be applauded for having social sensabilities and praised for judical activism. |
| Posted by: Highlander 2003-10-23 12:10:56 PM |
| #2 I don't know about Greece, but in the US this clown would be thrown off the case. What happened to judges being impartial? |
| Posted by: Spot 2003-10-23 11:43:34 AM |
| #1 can't convict for ideology What say you convict them for murder instead?? |
| Posted by: B 2003-10-23 11:32:06 AM |