With child-friendly justice and the inculcation of the basic principles of the rule of law from pre-school age, so that it is imprinted in the consciousness of minors and becomes a reference point in their future life, the Council of State, in cooperation with the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, depicted for the first time in our country a trial in which the judges are kindergarten babies and the participants (president, prosecutor, defendants, witnesses, etc.etc.) are the judges of the Council of State, who tested their acting skills, and, as it turned out, with great success.
The inspiration for this virtual model educational trial is the honorary vice-president of the Council of State, Ioannis Gravaris, who is actually the director of “The Teacher with the Apples”.
In this virtual play-trial, the children demonstrated impeccable behaviour and adaptability in the large hall of the Plenary Session of the CoE, exactly where great historical trials with huge social, economic, etc., have been held, interest and have been presided over, in the 79 years of the court’s life, by personalities of great legal and moral prestige.
We considered, Mr. Gravaris pointed out, that it is important basic principles of the rule of law, such as the presumption of innocence, the principle of integrity, etc, to be passed on to children while they are very young in a suitable way, so that they become a tool for their everyday life later in life and for the future positions where they will be employed.
When these principles are instilled in children, the issue of corruption will no longer be solved by laws alone, because by then it will be too late, but by reflexes from people, who will learn from a young age to be people of integrity, he said. He added that it was highlighted to the children what the presumption of innocence is and how important it is not to build prejudice before they hear and examine all the evidence that proves whether something actually happened or not. At the same time, she continued, children are made aware of the rule of collective resolution of a dispute and also of a friendly attitude towards justice.
Mr. Gravaris that with children judges in a mock trial, a long-standing demand is also fulfilled, that of the interaction of the citizen with the judges and the justice system, in order to build a friendly attitude towards justice for all. It should not be overlooked that interaction is nothing but the two-way form of the influential relationship between the interacting individuals.
In closing, Mr. Gravaris did not fail to point out that “we all, in one way or another, play a role” in life.
After the end of the trial, the President of the Council of State, Michalis Pikramenos, awarded the young judges with nominal diplomas in commemoration of the trial they participated in.
“The Apple Teacher”
The children from the kindergarten “Little Antonis” in Pallini in the educational performance “The teacher with the apples”, were called to put their teacher on trial, who was accused of stealing an apple every morning before going to school by Mr. Antonis’ grocery store, without ever paying for it.
This daily incident of apple theft was confirmed under oath in court by the mother of a child, a student, the school principal, etc, while the prosecutor of the court also condemned the teacher.
The little judges were in a huge dilemma about their teacher’s actions, but a key factor in the acquittal of the accused was the testimony of Mr. Anthony, who came late to the trial, but his testimony changed the whole scene.
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The following participated from the Council of State:
Inspired and directed by Ioannis Gravaris, Vice President,
Chairman: Dimitris Pyrgakis, President,
Prosecutor: Vassilis Gretsos, President,
Accused: Buli Lampropoulou, former State Counsel,
Counsel for defendant: Fotini Bageri, Attorney,
Complainant Mother: Mary Koliniati, president,
Witness daughter (real) of the complainant, student: Sophia Platanias,
Witness school principal: Dimitris Tsarouchas, president,
Defense witness and friend of defendant: Tonia Mitropoulou, rapporteur,
Defence witness and friend of the defendant “Mrs Sousouridou”: Elpida Stafira, associate,
Mr. Antonis Manavis: Antonis Fovakis, president,
Manavi’s wife: Kassiani Marinou, State Councillor,
Bailiff: Christos Tsiomos.
Source of article and photo: APE-MPA
