Yotopoulos’s statement in full; claims arrest was a ‘frame-up’

Suspect changed name to avoid arrest in France; denies involvement in Nov17

EVA KARAMANOLI

Fingerprints on documents found in the safe house in Patmou Street, graphology analyses which identify the handwriting of Alexandros Yotopoulos, the man alleged to be the leader of the November 17 terrorist organization, with notes found in the same location and also in packets found on Mt Parnitha in 1978 (whose contents were attributed to November 17), as well as confessions by other suspects under arrest, are some of the compelling evidence in the possession of the police. Nevertheless, the man known to the other suspects as «Lambros» questions its authenticity and persists in denying any involvement.

The statement of Yotopoulos to the examining judge was as follows:

«I refer to my preliminary statement on July 19, 2002. I deny the charges made against me. I doubt that a handwritten or typewritten document bearing my fingerprints was found at the Patmou Street site. I also doubt that a document bearing my signature and with my fingerprints on it was found in the same location. In the preliminary interrogation, I was shown a handwritten document on which the writing resembled mine but was not mine. I am not sure whether what was shown me was what was found at and confiscated from Patmou Street as you tell me.

«I also question the graphological text comparison of rough notes found on my person during a body search and a document which supposedly came from Patmou Street. I deny that a document of mine was found at Patmou. As for the recognition of the name Lambros by my fellow accused, I state that I do not know them; I have never seen any of my fellow accused before. I believe this is a frame-up by my fellow accused and that their depositions are the product of an deal between them and the police in order to secure better treatment for themselves. They have to present a leader and not just members of an organization, firstly, to be sure of getting favorable treatment, and secondly, since I was the subject of prosecution by the police, who leaked the information that they believed me to be the leader of November 17 at the time when my fellow accused were making their preliminary statements. The reason I have used the pseudonym Michalis Economou for the past 30 years is as follows: In 1971-72 I was a member of a organization resisting the junta here in Greece, by the name of LEA (Popular Revolutionary Resistance). At that time, the French police had discovered a fake French passport with my photograph and had begun to look for me. From then on I used the name Michalis Economou officially, in order to avoid being arrested. Of course, the danger subsided after some time. But I had already established my social relations under that name and it was difficult to return to my real name. I translate French texts.»