DIKO President Nicolas Papadopoulos stressed the need for national unity as the prerequisite for every struggle, from the podium of the memorial service of the commander Sotiris Constantinou, who at the age of 19 was executed on the first day of the traitorous coup of 15 July 1974.
In his speech, Papadopoulos said that on the first day of the treasonous coup, he was ordered to participate in the attacks on the Presidential Palace and was asked to board military vehicles with other soldiers.
"Sotiris refused to carry out their orders."[/B]
"Sotiris refused to carry out their orders. He knew what was to follow, but he did not cower, was not cowed and persisted in his decision. At the same time, knowingly, coldly and inhumanly, he was executed," he said, adding that the killers managed "to cover up their crime for 33 long years."
He recalled that on instructions from former late President Tassos Padopoulos, an investigation was conducted into Sotiris' case, with the findings of the Investigative Committee showing that "Sotiris was murdered in cold blood and in the back inside the camp".
As the DIKO President said, Sotiris was initially stabbed with special knives used by Greek officers at the time and while he was on his knees, he was shot in the back, with special revolvers, again used by Greek officers.
Paying "the due tribute to the family of Sotiris Constantinou", the DIKO President said that paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to defend the ideals of Freedom, Democracy and Legitimacy is "a due debt and a minimum reward for their contribution to the homeland".
"It is the first duty, towards the sacred memory of Sotiris Constantine and our other dead, national unity. A project - a prerequisite for every struggle, for every march," he said, adding: "Never again should we allow fascism and a sad minority of traitors to cause so much pain, so much destruction."
"We bow before the greatness of his soul and lay upon the solid plaque bearing his honourable name the flowers of our love and the laurels of our eternal gratitude," he concluded."
Source: CNA
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