SYRIZA’s Panos Lambrou, the defender of those who burn Athens!

Panos Lambrou, a tireless defender of prisoner’s rights, is in the spotlight again for his paradoxical role in the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government. While Greek Citizens Protection Minister Nikos Toskas would arrest those who burnt cars and dumpsters to commemorate the anniversary of Alexis Grigoropoulos death on December 6, Lambrou would arrange for their free defence.

Proto Thema conducted an experiment to see to what extent the SYRIZA government offers help and support to the very people who loot stores and are arrested. Posing as the relative of one of the arrested people the offices transferred the ‘relative’ to Lambrou’s office.

Transcript of the dialogue:

Journalist: My brother was arrested in the protest rally and we can’t afford a lawyer. What can I do?
Lambrou: Was the kid arrested the day before yesterday.
Journalist: Yes, at Exarchia.
Lambrou: And what is the age of the kid.
Journalist: 15 years.
Lambrou: Ah, it’s one of the minors.
Journalist: Yes, one of the minors.
Lambrou: I’ll give you a lawyer to contact, jot down 6972…., her name is K. K. She’s with me, here at SYRIZA, she’s a co-ordinator for human rights. You’ll tell her that you spoke with me, Panos Lambrou, and give her the facts. Don’t worry, we’ll definitely find a solution, as there’s no way the kid won’t have legal support.
Journalist: He’s my little brother and they caught him and he’s accused of arson.
Lambrou: For all the good of God as we say.
Journalist: For arson, and there are witnesses.
Lambrou: Is the kid still inside.
Journalist: Yes, he’s inside. He had also thrown stones, a molotov cocktail. Why did he have to get involved with all that? It’s one thing protesting, and another breaking things and throwing explosives.
Lambrou: Don’t start searching for an answer. Leave it alone. Jot down my number so that you have it, 6944… But also call K. K. so that we’re not playing Chinese whispers.
Journalist: I told you we don’t have money.
Lambrou: Look kid, you’ll tell her that there’s no financial ability to pay and ask what will be done about a lawyer. Tell her you spoke with Panso and begin with that… that we spoke together. Tell her there’s no money so what should we do.
Journalist: I guess she knows how to handle these things.
Lambrou: Of coruse she knows. It’s not by chance that I gave you that name. She may transfer you to another department. We’ll see. Call K. K. and we”ll find a solution.

Speaking with K.K. as advised by Lambrou.

Transcript of talk with Lawyer – Co-ordinator of Rights.

Journalist: Good evening, Mrs. K. K.?
Lawyer: Yes.
Journalist: I’m calling on behalf of Panos Lambrou.
Lawyer: Yes.
Journalist: They arrested my brother at the protest rally the day before yesterday, and he’s one of the underage kids. I spoke with Mr. Lambrou and he gave me your cell phone because I need legal advise and he told me to call you.
Lawyer: Did you say that your brother is one of the minors that was arrested?
Journalist: Yes, yes. He is 15 years of age and is accused of arson, a molotov explosive and rock-throwing. We are shocked as a family, but we want to know what will happen with the situation, because my parents don’t have money and are unemployed. So I caled Mr. Lambrou and he told me to call you. What can be done?
Lawyer: When will he pass through the prosecution? It’s a matter of days, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow.
Journalist: I went yesterday and saw him and will go again this afternoon to ask for details. You understand, I’m not a lawyer, I don’t know these things. I’ll call you later to inform you.
Lawyer: And I’ll try to find a lawyer to help you.
Journalist: I explained the situation to Mr. Lambrou. how can some lawyer help me, how much money is required? Will you handle this? Will someone else handle this?
Lawyer: We’ll find a lawyer who’ll handle this without a personal fee.

2nd Dialogue with Panos Lambrou

Journalist: She told us that she’ll see which lawyer will handle it. That is, she didn’t say that she’ll handle it.
Lambrou: Yes, but that’s not necessary. It’s a matter of co-ordination.
Journalist: So is there a team of lawyers that handles these things that may transfer me to someone else?
Lambrou: Yes, yes, exactly.
Journalist: If there are fees, then how will that be covered.
Lambrou: It will be covered, don’t worry. We’ll find a solution.
Journalist: I want to be certain. Can the party help me with that, cover me?
Lambrou: Don’t worry. Something will be done. We’ll find a solution.