George Papadopoulos

George Papadopoulos (1919 - 1999), was the strongman of the military coup d'état that took place in Greece on April 21 1967 and leader of the military regime that ruled the country during the period 1967 - 1974.

A career army officer since 1940, he served at KYP (Kentriki Ypiresia Pliroforion – the former Greek intelligence agency) from 1959 to 1964, and became a colonel in 1967. He was overthrown on November 25 1973 by his former fellows, after the student uprising of the November 17. After the restoration of Democracy in 1974, Papadopoulos was tried along with his colleagues for treason and insurrection and received the death penalty, which was later converted to a life sentence. Papadopoulos remained in prison, rejecting amnesty, until his death at age 80, suffering from cancer.

Papadopoulos is nowadays a symbol of authoritarianism and treason for pro-democrats, who consider him one of the most bitterly hated persons in the Greek history. However there are still people who support Papadopoulos and his military junta, and even a political party supporting his politics (ΕΠΕΝ - EPEN). In the centre of Athens one may notice icons, photographs and memorabilia of Papadopoulos sold by shops to his supporters. Papadopoulos' son is still alive and has appeared on the Greek television.