Sakis Rouvas has caused a stir for defending his friendship with former National Theatre director Dimitris Lignadis who was notoriously arrested and charged with serial rape reported Skai news.
After detailing his experience with the disgraced former theatre director, the main trigger for the public outrage was when Rouvas said Lignadis is going through a "hell" and is suffering from a "pathology" that needs treatment.
Part of the statements by Sakis Rouvas:
"I really loved Dimitris. All I feel for Dimitris is admiration and love. This is how I lived Dimitris. This is my experience of Dimitris. He helped me a lot. He helped me artistically discover what was called Dionysus in Bacchae.
"When the news of his story first broke out, I felt very sad for this man who at that moment I understood was in a "hell". I was really sorry.
"I want to be clear. The Dimitris Lignadis that I knew is a man I love, I loved and I had an amazing time with. I sympathise for what is happening to this man. I am sorry for what is happening to him. I imagine we all have a say in what is happening in our lives, but I can not judge him, point my finger as say "oh the rapist", and the like. I can not say that.
Refencing the judicial system and trust in due process Rouvas added that we, as a society "as a democracy, must trust our democratic institutions.
"As a father and as a human being, I believe that the victims are going through a real hell.
"Only compassion, love, respect and support for the victims of all kinds of crimes.
"Finally, anyone who commits criminal acts is judged only by Justice."
RESOURCE | ABOUT DIMITRIS LIGNADIS
Dimitris Lignadis s a Greek actor and stage director, who served as the Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Greece from August 2019 until he resigned on February 6, 2021. Lignadis resigned from his position after sexual abuse statements by minors against him became public. Shortly after, he was notoriously arrested and charged with serial rape.
Dimitris Lignadis was born on 1964 in Athens, Greece to theater critic and author Tasos Lignadis. The young Lignadis studied at the University of Athens and at the National Theatre of Greece Drama School.
He has acted in and directed many plays. He served as the Artistic Director of the National Theater of Greece from August 2019 until he resigned on February 6, 2021.
In February 2021, various sexual abuse allegations against Lignadis became public; some of them by minors. Lignadis resigned from his position on February 6, 2021.
Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni called Lignadis a "dangerous person", a statement met with serious backlash from many artists and the Hellenic Actors Union.
Lignadis was eventually arrested, charged with serial rape and held at the Attica General Police Directorate.
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