Democratic Defense

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Democratic Defense (Greek: Δημοκρατική Άμυνα) was one of the many anti-dictatorial struggle groups that fought against the Greek military junta of 1967-1974. It evolved from the "Alexandros Papanastasiou" political research group in 1967, as a response to the regime.

In reality ,there was no leader but after the arrest, the members nominated as leader a prominent retired general, general George Iordanides, because of his past glory. The organisation responded to the brutal regime with bombings to some targets that represented the financial supporters of the junta (like ESSO-PAPPAS).

Among its most widely known members were Costas Simitis, subsequently Prime Minister of Greece, Nikos Konstantopoulos, subsequently president of the Synaspismos party, professor Sakis Karagiorgas, professor Vassilis Filias, lawyer Dimosthenis Konaris, brothers Antonios Michalakeas (ex member of the Supreme Court of Greece) and Athanassios Michalakeas (ex president of the court of Appeal).

[edit] See also

• History of Modern Greece
• Greek military junta of 1967-1974