Well-known criminal lawyer Paul Sarakis, who undertook the defense of Golden Dawn party spokesman, and MP, Ilias Kassidiaris, was surprisingly ousted as a party member of New Democracy following a decision from its Central Ethics Committee.
Sarakis defended his right as a lawyer to represent Kassidiaris, stressing to SKAI channel earlier on Tuesday that the political ideologies of men cannot override professional duty. He stressed that lawyers do not work with ideological criterion.
Sarakis noted the lawyers code of conduct, noting that he is obligated to accept the defense of someone who is accused and said that this is why he agreed to take on the defence of Kassidiaris because even an accused man has a right to choose his attorney in a functioning democracy.
He makes a good point. Professional duty has no place in politics. When you visit a doctor, or a priest, do they ask you what your political beliefs are so that they can properly service you? The obvious answer is: NO.
On Monday night, Sarakis was on STAR channel, watch the video below and draw your own conclusions. Reporter Nikos Hatzinikolaoy rudely interrupts the lawyer who explains why he took on Kassidiaris' case and attempts to give the audience a taste of the other side of the story. He is not only cut off at every phrase, he is also purposely provoked by Hatzinikolaoy to lose his temper. Especially after Sarakis notes that one of the reasons Kassidiaris was targeted was because the "establishment" is afraid that he will win the position of Athens mayor -since the GD MP has declared that he will run for this position- at the upcoming municipal elections. Luckily Mr. Sarakis kept his cool, and allowed Hatzinikolaoy (another favorite of the 'establishment') to make a complete fool of himself.
Shame... on New Democracy, this is wrong. As for Mr. Hatzinikolaoy we did not expect anything else.
Sarakis defended his right as a lawyer to represent Kassidiaris, stressing to SKAI channel earlier on Tuesday that the political ideologies of men cannot override professional duty. He stressed that lawyers do not work with ideological criterion.
Sarakis noted the lawyers code of conduct, noting that he is obligated to accept the defense of someone who is accused and said that this is why he agreed to take on the defence of Kassidiaris because even an accused man has a right to choose his attorney in a functioning democracy.
He makes a good point. Professional duty has no place in politics. When you visit a doctor, or a priest, do they ask you what your political beliefs are so that they can properly service you? The obvious answer is: NO.
On Monday night, Sarakis was on STAR channel, watch the video below and draw your own conclusions. Reporter Nikos Hatzinikolaoy rudely interrupts the lawyer who explains why he took on Kassidiaris' case and attempts to give the audience a taste of the other side of the story. He is not only cut off at every phrase, he is also purposely provoked by Hatzinikolaoy to lose his temper. Especially after Sarakis notes that one of the reasons Kassidiaris was targeted was because the "establishment" is afraid that he will win the position of Athens mayor -since the GD MP has declared that he will run for this position- at the upcoming municipal elections. Luckily Mr. Sarakis kept his cool, and allowed Hatzinikolaoy (another favorite of the 'establishment') to make a complete fool of himself.
Shame... on New Democracy, this is wrong. As for Mr. Hatzinikolaoy we did not expect anything else.