Greek Under Death Sentence Caught

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32011, 11 June 1969, Page 15

Greek Under Death Sentence Caught

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright > ATHENS, June 10. Alexandrus Panagoulis, sentenced to death for trying to overthrow the Government and kill the Greek Prime Minister, was recaptured in Athens yesterday, four days after escaping from a military prison.

The announcement of his recapture was made by Mr Stylianos Pattakos, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, at his weekly press conference. A widespread land, sea and

air search had been made for Panagoulis and a price of 500,000 drachma (about $15,000) had been put on his head.

Usually reliable sources said his fate now hung in the balance. Though sentenced to death last November, the verdict was not carried out, apparently because of sustained pressure on the Government from abroad. Panagoulis was arrested by police in an Athens flat, according to usually reliable sources. Later, Corporal George Morakis, alleged to have helped him escape, went to Athens security police and gave himself up.

Sources said some members of the Army-backed Greek . regime had always argued that Panagoulis ought to have been executed because he had been legally convicted by a court-martial. Panagoulis, an Army deserter, sprang to world notice last August when he tried to blow up a car in which the Prime Minister (Mr Papadopoulos) was driving to the capital from his seaside villa. Clad only in swimming trunks, and lurking behind ' rocks on the Aegean coast- ’ line, Panagoulis set up the bomb. He was spotted and arrested soon afterward. Last November he was sentenced to death for plotting to overthrow the regime and for deserting the Army. He received an 18-year sentence on the attempted assassination charge. Panagoulis had been held at Boyati military prison, 12 miles from Athens, and last Thursday he slipped away under cover of darkness.