Greek Murder Case Witness Attacked

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30143, 29 May 1963, Page 15

Greek Murder Case Witness Attacked

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

ATHENS, May 28. One of the chief prosecution witnesses in the murder case over the death*of a Greek deputy, Mr Gregory Lambraskis, was attacked and left unconscious in a Salonika street last night, Reuter reported.

The witness, G. Sotirchopoulos, was knocked out by an unidentified assailant who ooshed him. The witness, who was found lying unconscious on the pavement, # was taken to hospital, where he is under a heavy police guard, the British United Press reported. Mr Lambraskis, aged 45, died in Salonika yesterday from injuries received on Wednesday, when he was knocked down by a motorcycle while leaving a peace rally. The motor-cyclist, Spyros Kotzamanis, has been charged with murder. After Mr Lambrakis’ death yesterday, the Government ordered a state of alert in Salonika and called out riot police as part of strict security precautions against demonstrations. When he was attacked, Sotirchopoulos was on his 'way to see a judge who is investigating the case, the British United Press reported. During a preliminary investigation the witness said that Kotzamanis had told him on the day of the rally that he planned “a foolish act, including possible manslaughter.” The day after giving this evidence, the witness informed the Salonika prosecutor .that somebody was following him in a black car without number plates and that he feared for his life. Last night thousands of Left-wing supporters sang the Greek National Anthem

when a special train brought the deputy’s body to Athens. But they did not attempt to break through the strong police cordons as the coffin was placed in a hearse and driven to the police-protected Athens Metropolis Church. All public meetings and demonstrations in Athens and the port city of Piraeus have been banned and security forces are on the alert today.