Dimitrios Ioannidis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dimitrios Ioannidis
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|---|---|
| Native name |
Δημήτριος Ιωαννίδης
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| Nickname(s) | The invisible dictator (ο αόρατος δικτάτωρ, ο aóratos diktátōr) |
| Born | 13 March 1923 Athens, Kingdom of Greece |
| Died | 16 August 2010 (aged 87) Athens, Greece |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Greece Greek junta |
| Service/ |
 Hellenic ArmyEDES |
| Rank |  Brigadier |
| Wars |
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| Awards |  Cross of Valour |
| Alma mater | Hellenic Military Academy |
Dimitrios Ioannidis (Greek: Δημήτριος Ιωαννίδης; 13 March 1923 – 16 August 2010) was a Greek military officer. He was a very important figure in the military government that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974. People sometimes called him The Invisible Dictator because he had a lot of power but preferred to stay out of the public eye.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dimitrios Ioannidis was born in Athens, the capital of Greece. His family was quite wealthy and involved in business.
During World War II, when Greece was occupied by other countries, he joined a group called the National Republican Greek League (EDES). This group was part of the Greek Resistance, fighting against the occupation. After the war, he studied at the Hellenic Military Academy. He also continued his military training at other schools, learning about infantry, war strategies, and even atomic, chemical, and biological warfare. He also fought in the Greek Civil War.
Military Career and Influence
Ioannidis started his military career as an officer in a guerrilla force led by Napoleon Zervas. He played a key role in the military takeover on 21 April 1967. At that time, he was in charge of the Hellenic Military Academy. Even though he had a lot of power, he let George Papadopoulos be the public leader of the new government.
Leading the Military Police
Ioannidis became the head of the Greek Military Police (ESA). He made this police force very strong and large, with over 20,000 members. The ESA was known for being very strict. They arrested people who disagreed with the government. They also questioned people who opposed the new leaders.
Rise to Power
Ioannidis was promoted to colonel in 1970. He did not agree with Papadopoulos's plans to make the government more democratic. In 1973, he became a brigadier general.
In November 1973, there was a big student protest in Athens, known as the Athens Polytechnic uprising. The government reacted very strongly to this protest. Ioannidis was unhappy with Papadopoulos's attempts to loosen control. So, he planned another military takeover. On 25 November 1973, Ioannidis successfully overthrew Papadopoulos. This takeover was peaceful. Papadopoulos was arrested by Ioannidis's loyal forces.
After this, Ioannidis put his friend Phaedon Gizikis in charge as the new President of Greece. However, Ioannidis held all the real power behind the scenes. This is why he was called "The Invisible Dictator." He had strong support from lower-ranking military officers.
Cyprus and the End of the Junta
Ioannidis wanted to unite Cyprus with Greece. He also strongly disliked the President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III. Ioannidis organized a military takeover in Cyprus on 15 July 1974. This coup removed Archbishop Makarios III from power. Ioannidis put a controversial figure named Nikos Sampson in charge of Cyprus.
However, this coup led to the Turkish invasion of the island on 20 July. This event ultimately led to Cyprus being divided, which it still is today. Ioannidis could not recover from this failure. In August, other generals pushed him out of power. This ended seven years of military rule in Greece. Konstantinos Karamanlis became the new Prime Minister of Greece.
Trial and Imprisonment
On 14 January 1975, Dimitrios Ioannidis was arrested. He was put on trial for serious charges, including treason and rebellion. The trial lasted less than a month. He was found guilty of treason and sentenced to life in prison. He served his sentence at Korydallos Prison.
While in prison, he claimed that American military leaders had betrayed him. He said they had promised him help with Turkey.
On 21 July 2007, when he was 84 years old, Ioannidis asked to be released from prison because of his health. However, his request was denied. He remained in prison until he died on 16 August 2010, at the age of 87. He passed away from breathing problems. He had spent 35 years in prison.
