{"id":11817,"date":"2012-04-09T11:16:01","date_gmt":"2012-04-09T15:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theredphoenixapl.org\/?p=11817"},"modified":"2012-04-09T11:16:01","modified_gmt":"2012-04-09T15:16:01","slug":"pensioners-suicide-continues-to-shake-greece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redphoenix.news\/es\/2012\/04\/pensioners-suicide-continues-to-shake-greece\/","title":{"rendered":"Pensioner\u2019s Suicide Continues to Shake Greece"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By NIKI KITSANTONIS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

ATHENS \u2014 The death of a 77-year-old Greek pensioner who shot himself in the head outside Parliament in despair over his financial problems has shaken this austerity-weary country and a crumbling political system struggling to assert its relevance amid an economic and social meltdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dimitris Christoulas, a divorced and retired pharmacist, took his life on Wednesday in Syntagma Square, a focal point for frequent public demonstrations and protests, as hundreds of commuters passed nearby at a metro station and as lawmakers in Parliament debated last-minute budget amendments before elections, expected on May 6.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a handwritten note found near the scene, the pensioner said he could not face the prospect \u201cof scavenging through garbage bins for food and becoming a burden to my child,\u201d blaming the government\u2019s austerity policies for his decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The incident has prompted a public outpouring, with passers-by pinning notes of sympathy and protest to trees in the square, as well as comment from politicians across the spectrum. A solidarity rally on Wednesday night turned violent when the police clashed with hooded demonstrators in scuffles that left at least three people injured.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Thursday, before the start of another rally, shocked Athenians visited the site of the shooting. Some expressed sadness at the desperation of a fellow citizen, but also anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just heart-wrenching, it\u2019s outrageous,\u201d said Haris Anastasiadis, a 48-year-old plumber, pointing to the Parliament building. \u201cIt\u2019s those in there that killed him, and they\u2019re killing us all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sentiment echoed many of the notes pinned to the tree, which Mr. Christoulas leaned against before he pulled the trigger, according to witnesses. \u201cThis is not suicide, it is political murder,\u201d one note said. \u201cEnough is enough,\u201d read another. \u201cAusterity kills,\u201d declared yet another.<\/span><\/p>\n

The suicide also prompted comments from politicians, who face growing public anger and have been pelted with yogurt cartons and fruit during public appearances. In a written statement released on Wednesday, Prime Minister Lucas D. Papademos said: \u201cIn these difficult times for our country we must all \u2014 the state and its citizens \u2014 support those next to us who are in despair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other political leaders sought to empathize with the desperate pensioner. \u201cDeath isn\u2019t just to die; it\u2019s also to live in despair, without hope,\u201d said the leader of conservative New Democracy party, Antonis Samaras, whose party is leading in opinion polls.<\/span><\/p>\n

The leader of the socialist Pasok party, Evangelos Venizelos, described the incident as \u201cso shocking that any political comment would be mistargeted and cheap.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, the political chorus did not sit well with the local news media. The main commentary of Thursday\u2019s edition of the center-right daily Kathimerini began: \u201cIf our political leaders had the slightest sense of responsibility, they would have kept their mouths shut.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to local media, Mr. Christoulas, who sold his pharmacy in 1994, suffered serious health problems and had struggled to pay for medicines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neighbors told Greek television that they were not aware of his financial problems and that he appeared to be a generally cheerful person, though angry with the government. One neighbor said Mr. Christoulas frequently attended protest rallies in the square where he killed himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA group of us used to go to Syntagma in the summer,\u201d the woman told state television. \u201cHe didn\u2019t miss a rally. He was exasperated, like all of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fuente<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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