Greek Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis commented on the Supreme Court’s decision to return Alexandros Giotsopoulos to prison. Speaking on Action24, Floridis emphasized that Giotsopoulos — who is 83 years old — has been convicted of 17 murders and has shown no signs of remorse.
Legal reasoning behind the ruling
Floridis highlighted the significance of the court’s legal reasoning, noting that the Areios Pagos (Greece’s Supreme Court) clarified a point the Appeals Court had reportedly misinterpreted. Specifically, when a newer legal provision sets a longer period for serving a sentence, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2021 provision — requiring full service of the 25-year sentence — must apply, rather than the older, more lenient rule previously cited by the Appeals Court.
Remorse as a key factor
The minister also pointed to the court’s emphasis on contrition as a critical criterion for early release. ‘The Supreme Court states clearly that whether the convicted person has shown even basic remorse must weigh heavily,’ Floridis said. ‘In this case, not only is there no evidence of remorse — it appears he feels no regret at all. When someone requests release before completing their full sentence under conditional terms, they must demonstrate some sense of accountability or moral reflection.’
Age does not override gravity of crimes
Addressing Giotsopoulos’s advanced age, Floridis added: ‘I don’t wish to act as a judge — but a man who is 83 years old carries 17 murders on his conscience.’