Prominent Greek lawyer Alexis Kougias has died in an Athens hospital on Friday after a long illness. He was 74.
In a recent interview, Kougias revealed that he has recently been following a treatment that has resulted in some alterations in his face.
Following a series of tests indicating the potential development of a cancerous tumor within one to two years, he began immunotherapy. Despite this and a previous diagnosis of cancer, he maintained his daily routine.
He even continued attending court appearances during chemotherapy. He acknowledged the gravity of his situation, stating, “You know you will die, but you have to live beautifully,” demonstrating a determination to live fully despite his health challenges.
Last week his condition deteriorated and he was admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. In a social media post on Monday, his two children called for the media and public to respect their father’s privacy at such a crucial period.
“We expect, even now amid these difficult hours, for you to show respect for father’s family and loved ones,” the post read.
Alexis Kougias was a controversial lawyer
He was involved in some of Greece’s most controversial cases, facing massive criticism by the Greek Media.
Ηe first generated publicity in 1978, as an advocate of notorious criminal Vangelis Rochamis. He also practiced criminal law in well-known cases, including “the trial of Satanists,” the trial of Argyris Saliarelis, the trial of Express Samina disaster, and the trials of the terrorist organizations ELA and 17 November Group.
In December 2008 he took over the defense of the policeman who fatally shot 15 year old Alexis Grigoropoulos. He later resigned as lead counsel for Epaminondas Korkoneas, the police officer found guilty of killing 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos in the central Athens neighborhood of Exarchia in December 2008, an incident that sparked riots.
Kougias said that he decided to drop his client after Korkoneas appeared unrepentant about his actions during a court hearing last month, saying “there is no way he would apologize for any 15-year-old.”
According to his statements, he has taken 17,500 trials, including 5,000 felonies.
Most recently he faced a disciplinary investigation by the Athens Bar Association following his homophobic comments about former SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis. He had asked Kasselakis to clarify whether he is the “man” or the “woman” in his marriage.
He was born on 23 January 1951 in Petroupolis, west Athens. He studied law at the University of Thessaloniki and at the University of Athens, from where he graduated.
Alongside his career in law, he has been heavily involved in sports ownership and administration. Between 1997 and 2004 he served as president of AEK Athens. He has served as president of Korinthos, Aris Petroupolis, Veria, PAS Giannina, Lamia and Panahaiki. For a short period in 2024, he was a Vice-President of Olympiacos F.C.
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