Relative of the executed man from Kaisariani: I feel great emotion but also great anger

Vasilis Ampelogianis woke up on Sunday morning with no particular thoughts or concerns. When he opened the websites for his daily update with his coffee, he was in for a big surprise.

“I saw all these reports on the websites about the photos of the executed individuals on May 1, 1944, in Kaisariani. I wasn’t prepared for that,” he told NEWS 24/7, referring to his uncle, Spilios Ampelogianis, who was executed by the Nazis at that very location, the Kaisariani Shooting Range, on May 1, 1944.

“When I realized what I was dealing with, I felt conflicting emotions. On one hand, there was a tremendous sense of emotion seeing and re-seeing the courage, determination, certainty, and fearless attitude with which these people marched towards death,” he says, clearly moved.

“On the other hand, I felt anger and outrage. These historical documents were put up for auction as if our people were Hollywood stars, as if they were something to be sold and commercialized,” he continues.

Spilios Ampelogianis was arrested at a checkpoint in Kolonos. He was the secretary of the local Communist Party organization. He remained resolute in his stance, didn’t “break,” and then followed the well-known route: from Haidari to Kaisariani for execution. He was only 22 years old.

It is well-known that Spilios, just before his execution, wrote a message on a handkerchief, which made its way to his home in Kolonos, where it was received by his sister. Many years later, his cousin, the son of his sister, handed it over to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

“I follow with great interest the developments. I have spoken to many of our relatives who are asking the Greek government to buy the photos and return them to where they belong. I cannot imagine that anything else could happen in this case,” Mr. Ampelogianis comments.

He also appears determined to intervene personally if necessary. “I can certainly intervene with personal letters. We can also gather signatures, make appeals to organizations of the mass popular movement, etc. Let’s not forget that there are also resistance organizations that could certainly intervene,” he adds.

The conversation then returns to the emotions left by the publication of these photos: “To be honest, it’s shocking. You see some people before their execution with a firm stance, without fear, knowing very well they are doing the right thing. The emotions these photos evoke are immense.”

“Especially for our family, the emotion is great. Spilios was my father’s brother. The family lost another member, who was a fighter of the Democratic Army of Greece, during its retreat. There were five siblings in total, three of whom were in the EAM (National Liberation Front).”