Giannis Koutsogiannnis, former deputy minister and honorary lieutenant general of the Hellenic Army, has passed away at the age of 92. A historic figure within PASOK, he also served as a former member of parliament for Argolida. Family, friends, and political colleagues will bid their final farewell on Saturday at the Church of Saint Peter in Argos — the city with which he shared an inseparable bond. His body will lie in repose at the church from 1:00 PM, with the funeral service commencing at 1:30 PM, followed by burial at the Cemetery of the Panagia.
Who was Giannis Koutsogiannnis?
Giannis Koutsogiannnis was born on December 23, 1933. He graduated from the Evelpidon Military Academy in 1954 as a second lieutenant in the Artillery Corps. Alongside his military training, he also studied at the Law School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and between 1965 and 1966 he voluntarily served in Cyprus as a captain. His military career was abruptly interrupted during the years of the military dictatorship. Due to his democratic convictions, he was discharged from service, arrested, and taken to the detention cells of EAT/ESA — the Greek military police’s notorious interrogation unit — where he was tortured, before being exiled for one year to Makrakomi in Fthiotida.
Following the fall of the junta and the restoration of democracy, he became a founding member of PASOK and served on its first Central Committee. Although he returned to the Armed Forces in 1975, he resigned in 1981 to enter politics, winning a parliamentary seat for Argolida — a mandate he renewed in the 1985 elections. In parliament, he played a prominent role as chairman of the National Defense Committee (1981–1985) and as a member of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee on the historic “Cyprus Dossier” (1986–1988). From November 1988 to July 1989, he served as Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications in the government of Andreas Papandreou. In 1994, he ran for the position of Prefect of Argolida, and his military service was formally recognized in 1996 when he was posthumously awarded the rank of lieutenant general.
PASOK’s message of condolence
“With sadness and deep respect, we bid farewell to Giannis Koutsogiannnis, former Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications and Member of Parliament for Argolida with PASOK. One of the founding members of the Movement and a tireless champion of democracy during the years of the junta, Giannis Koutsogiannnis upheld the principles and values of the Democratic Front and dedicated himself to the progress of his homeland. We extend our sincere condolences to his family.”
