Stavros Kontonis

In the latest war of words between the leftist government and the Greek judiciary, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told state broadcaster ERT on Monday that he did not understand why the opinion that judges should submit their declaration of assets electronically, like other civil servants, should be regarded as a political intervention.

The head of Greece's top constitutional court accused the government of intervention in justice, with the opposition calling for the resignation of minister Stavros Kontonis.

The decision to grant a 48-hour furlough to convicted November 17 terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas was deplored on Thursday by US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt who said it dishonors the memory of the victims and their families.

Unbiased implementation of the law is what constitutes a state governed by law and order, Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis told lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday in response to criticism of a decision reached by the capital's Korydallos Prison council to grant 48-hour furlough to convicted November 17 terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas.

New Democracy lawmaker Nikitas Kaklamanis on Tuesday submitted a question to Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis and Alternate Minister for Citizens' Protection Nikos Toskas regarding the number of inmates released from custody under a decision by the previous justice minister for easing over-crowding at Greece's prisons.

Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis on Friday refuted suggestions that the government may be considering the legalization of assisted suicide, saying that any such action will continue to be viewed as consensual homicide, a felony that carries jail time.

The delayed response by Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis last week to a question regarding the government's position on assisted suicide may signal more strife to come within the ranks of the coalition government.

Minister of Justice Stavros Kontonis visited the Archbishop of Athens & All Greece Hieronymus in a meeting that was totally played down by the Church.

The subject of the meeting was reportedly the new law 4491/2017 on the legal recognition of gender identity (gender change from 15 years of age).

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Citizen Protection, Nikos Toskas. He was informed of the murder of the 52-year-old lawyer Michael Zafeiropoulos and requested that the police will immediately solve the case.

The fate of the gender identity bill that will be put to a vote on Tuesday in Parliament appeared to be hanging in the balance on Monday evening as MPs of the junior coalition partner joined opposition parties to voice their opposition.