1.
SVs Relatives of junta leaders wait for visiting time in prison (3shots)
0.19

2.
GV ZOOM OUT Prison
0.30

3.
GV New courtroom & security men being instructed (4 shots)
0.58

4.
SV Officers out of bus for court-material
1.10

5.
GV Judges entering court, including defendents (6shots)
1.32

6.
SV Newsmen watching closed circuit television transmission of court proceedings
1.54


TRANSCRIPT: "At the gates of an Athens prison the families of men about to go on trial wait patiently for visiting time. These are relatives of the 24 leaders of the junta accused of abolishing democratic government in Greece resulting in seven years of military dictatorship."



"For security reasons, the possibility of demonstrations, or even kidnap or assassination attempts, the defendents in the treason trial have now been removed to a women's prison.



"A new courtroom has been specially built for what is regarded in Greece as the most important of the trails taking place this summer. Among the defendents here was George Papadopoulos the former artillery colonel behind the 1967 coup. To guard and of course to protect the accused there will probably be as many armed policemen on duty in the courtroom as participant and obser???rs. There have been daily security b???fings.



"The second major trial, the conspiracy trial, the court martial of another group of 21 officers, has already begun. They're brought to their court every day by bus. They too face a possible death sentence if they're found guilty by their judges of uniting for the purpose of mutiny earlier this year. Their ultimate aims, according to the prosecution, were to force the present government to outlaw the Communists, to take the Greek armed forces back into the military wing of NATO and to get the government to drop the charges against those now accused in the treason trial. The third hearing the so-called torture trial involving 32 officers of the security and armed forces, is due to start here next month. All these cases will be heard in public with elaborate arrangements for press coverage. Newsmen unable to get into court will follow the proceedings from closed circuit television monitors in ??? Athens hotel."




Initials BJB/1840


This film is serviced with English commentary by BBC reporter Larry Harris which is transcribed overleaf.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Strict security measures surround the preparations for two major trials in Greece concerning members of the former military dictatorship and a third trial which has already begun.

The most important of the trials in Athens is due to start on Monday (28 July). The accused are 24 of the leading members of the junta on charges of high treason which entail a possible death penalty. Among them is george Papadopoulos, the artillery colonel who planned the 1967 coup and later installed himself President.

Also on trial in the specially-built courtroom will be retired General George Zoitakis, who was made Regent after the abortive royal counter-coup in December 1967, and retired Major General Demetrios Ioannides, the Chief of the military police who overthrew Papadopoulos in November 1973 and established his own military regime.

Strict security measures have been taken to prevent the possibility of demonstrations or even kidnap or assassination attempts.

The second trial involving army and police officers charged with torturing political prisoners is due to start in Athens next month.

A third trial of 21 officers charged with plotting to commit acts of sedition against the present civilian government five months after the restoration of democratic rule, has already begun. They too face a possible death sentence.