Sokratis Giolias, investigative journalist and alleged blogger, has been gunned down at 5:20 am this morning outside his home in Ilioupolis suburb of Athens.
Thirty seven year old Sokratis Giolias died immediately after being shot 17 times by at least two gunmen. A third accomplice was waiting on the car and a fourth was watching the execution from a motorcycle, report Greek media and Blogs. According to these reports Giolias received a phone call claiming his car was stolen. Shortly after his door bell rang and the culprits, identifying themselves as policemen, told him to come down and check. The moment the unlucky Giolias exited the building’s door, the gunmen pulled the triggers. The culprits left the crime scene with a car that proved to had been stolen two days ago from nearby suburb of Alimos. They abandoned it 1,5 km away and set it on fire. Neighbors said to SKAI-TV, they had observed ‘suspicious’ moves since a week.
Sokratis Giolias headed the radio station Thema FM and allegedly the most popular Greek news blog Troktiko. The blog uploads short posts about politics, economy and showbiz but very often deals with scandals. Since yesterday noon it had started to announce the uploading of a video revealing relations of a local entrepreneur with the police forces. In the past Giolias was editor in chief of investigative journalist Makis Triantafyllopoulos’ TV broadcasts. In a country with high corruption investigative journalism seems to turn into a real dangerous
Authorities say the motive behind the killing is unclear yet, but it is not believed to linked to any terrorist organisations operating in Greece. Greek media speak of a “death contract”. There has been no official statement by police so far.
The killing shocks journalists, bloggers and public alike. If it is proven to be a “death contract”, investigative journalism in Greece turns for the first time into a real dangerous job in a country where corruption is high.
Sokratis Giolias leaves behind a pregnant wife and a 2 years old child.
