In November 1922 six men faced a revolutionary tribunal. This was the Trial of the Six. Today we stand where a dark chapter of Greek history unfolded. This is the final execution site of the Trial of the Six.
The Trial of the Six is locally known as Diki ton Exi. It marks a significant event. It is a trial by a military tribunal. It concerned those deemed responsible for Greece’s defeat in Asia Minor in 1922.
Backed by public outrage Colonels Nikolaos Plastiras and Stylianos Gonatas formed a Revolutionary Committee. This committee demanded the abdication of King Constantine. They also sought punishment for those responsible for the military disaster.
The extraordinary military tribunal convened on October 31. The tribunal sought to find the responsible people. Five senior members of the overthrown administration faced trial. General Georgios Hatzianestis was also tried. He was the last commander-in-chief of the Asia Minor campaign.
They were charged with high treason. After a 15-day trial all six were convicted. The men were sentenced to death. The executions occurred hours after the verdict. This was before its publication on November 28 1922. The decision damaged the national interests. It also strained relations with the Allies. It ultimately led the country to defeat.
Dimitrios Gounaris was sentenced to death. Petros Protopapadakis was also sentenced to death. Other men who were sentenced to death were Nikolaos Stratos. Georgios Hatzianestis. Georgios Baltatzis. Nikolaos Theotokis. Xenophon Stratigos received a life imprisonment sentence. Michael Goudas also received a life imprisonment sentence. Prince Andrew was exiled.
The embassies of Sweden Netherlands and the United Kingdom tried to intervene. They tried to cancel the punishments. After the executions the United Kingdom withdrew its ambassador to Greece.
In 1932 Prime Minister Venizelos stated that the victims were not guilty of treason. He couldn’t condemn the revolutionary officers because they acted virtuously.
In 2010 Greek courts annulled the convictions. The charges of high treason were dismissed due to new evidence. Petros Protopapadakis’ grandson presented new evidence. This evidence was absent in the 1922 trial.
This effort aimed to rewrite school textbooks. The aim was to correct unfair portrayals of the six. The six were scapegoats to appease public anger. They were victims of circumstances.
Here at this site the executions took place. It was a somber event in Greek history. It deepened the divide. It was between royalists and liberals.
Today the site serves as a reminder. It serves as a complex past. The victims were initially condemned and executed. Later they were exonerated. Their story continues to spark debate. It prompts reflection.