A photo reporter slapped with a private summons on Thursday strenuously denied taking photographs showing Alexis Tsipras’ wife, Peristera (Betty) Batziana, during the first day of classes at the private Hill School, where she accompanied her son on his first day of kindergarten. Photo reporter Vassilis Koutroumanos was shown on the school grounds accompanying his daughter, 7, on her first day at school.
Photos of a smiling Baziana in the school yard caused a media frenzy in the country. The photo resulted in widespread criticism against former PM and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras for his choice to send his two young children to expensive private schools after years and years and years of advocating public education over the private sector.
The well-known photo reporter is being used as a scapegoat, at least by the school’s management and certain leftist supporters of SYRIZA following the media outcry. The summons Koutroumanos received by the school claims his photos, depicting other parents, caused anger and were …unlawfully taken. He was urged to refrain from taking other photographs or else further action will be taken against him. Pressure is being exerted on him to take his child.
“I went to the school blessing ceremony with my daughter, in second grade of primary school. As a father, I wanted to be there with my camera and take photos of my daughter. They all saw me… I take photos everywhere I go!” he said. “Suddenly they sent me a summons and are accusing me of taking photographs that aren’t mine. I was at the school last year as well, but they all came this year. I’m sure that there was pressure from people who are higher up.”
In statements he made to star.gr, the photographer said that he has already responded to the summons served to him and states that all he wants is for his reputation as a father and professional photo reporter to be restored.
The photos… are they incriminating?
No evidence was presented by the school to back its claim except the anonymous statements of what it called other parents.
