Doctors’ union leader accuses journalists of trial by media
THE CHAIRMAN of the state doctors union yesterday charged authorities of covering up the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Giorgos Hadjidemetris and suggested the two state doctors found guilty in the case were innocent.
Speaking at a news conference shortly after sentencing, Stavros Stavrou demanded the 2001 case be reopened so justice could be restored.
The stage had been set from early on with scuffles at the courthouse, and the atmosphere at the news conference was electric.
The 14-year-old’s father had initially planned to attend the news conference, but in the end decided to leave before it started.
Earlier, Stavrou had taken him to one side for a brief talk.
The news conference was attended by several dozen doctors, who had left work to pack the auditorium. During question time, they blamed journalists for the way they had handled the case, suggesting the doctors had been convicted by media.
Their intervention followed questions to Stavrou by journalists, of which his colleagues in the audience clearly disapproved.
Despite Stavrou’s attempt to mediate, reporters left the auditorium in protest.
Earlier on, Stavrou had levelled serious accusations against the expert investigator in the case.
“Unfortunately it [the investigation] aimed at concealing the real or possibly real causes of his death, with a main aim to cover up possible responsibility,” Stavrou said.
He claimed that had been achieved by creating scapegoats through a scenario scripted by the investigator.
“Many people were involved in various ways to set up the scenario and create the suitable climate to convict innocent people and acquit potentially guilty parties,” Stavrou said.
He wondered why various documents had been judged to be fabrications and asked why no one had bothered to investigate who made them and why.
“Due to this, we are asking for the first case file to reopen, which investigated other people but was suddenly shut with no reason given,” he said.
He claimed the doctors had been condemned even before the defence could argue its case and warned that it set a huge precedent that would forever hold liable younger doctors who risked been brought before court, humiliated and jailed at any given time.
“We respect the decision but we have the right to criticise it,” Stavrou said.
“Especially when innocent people are convicted.
“We’re sorry that the parents of the unfortunate Giorgos would not find out the truth,” he added.
Stavrou said that those present in the surgery knew the truth better than anyone else, but declined to clarify any further.
Stavrou warned that the decision had spread fear among doctors, who would now operate defensively and try to protect themselves first.
