The confrontation betweenStamatis Poulis and Pavlos Polakis, against the backdrop of the legal battle over the sdefamatory libel case.

As the trial resumes tomorrow, Mr. Poulis responds to the motivation attempted by Mr. Polakis, calling it an attempt to influence his world and to turn the proceedings into a political debate.

He recalls that Mr Polakis has already been convicted in the first instance for slanderous defamation and excitement, claiming that he is seeking the statute of limitations on the case through legal tricks, citing “lack of malice”. At the same time, he accuses his opponent of attempting to justify his attacks through previous allegations, setting – he says – a dangerous precedent for public discourse.

He also makes special reference to incidents that, according to him, occurred during the hearing, referring to an attempted videoscopy and photography by supporters of Mr Polakis in the courtroom. He claims that the bench reacted by calling the police and automatic proceedings were initiated for the illegal recording.

Mr. Poulis also points out that the complaints made against him by Mr. Polakis have already been examined by the Justice, which, he stresses, has exonerated him “solemnly and definitively”

“Tomorrow is not just a trial of a case. It is being judgedwhether insults and slander will become a tolerable norm in the public discourse of political figures,” he said, shifting the weight of the debate from the personal level to the functioning of institutions and the limits of political behaviour.

Stamatis Poulis’ post: