Karaivaz, who worked for a private television station, was shot dead on Friday outside his home.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has demanded the “swift resolution” of an investigation into the murder of a criminal journalist which has already been condemned by key EU officials, political parties and trade unions. media.
Giorgos Karaivaz, who worked for the private TV channel Star and also ran the news blog bloko.gr, was shot several times As he got out of his car outside his home in the Alimos neighborhood south of Athens on Friday after returning from work, witnesses said.
Police said Karaivaz, 52, was shot dead by two people on motorcycles who fired multiple times. At least 12 bullet casings were collected from the scene, a police official said.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis summoned Police Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis to a meeting on Saturday on the case, the prime minister’s office said.
The murder was condemned by the European Commission and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.
“The murder of a journalist is a vile and cowardly act,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Friday.
Karaivaz had worked for some of the major Greek newspapers and television stations during a 32-year career.
“[He] was one of the most experienced criminal journalists in the field… and was held in high esteem by his colleagues, ”the ESIEA Union of Journalists of the Athens Daily said in a statement.
The Greek Police Federation said Karaivaz wanted to improve working conditions for law enforcement and was “strongly critical of anyone” standing in the way of their union.
Attacks targeting the media
While Greek media offices are frequently the target of firebomb attacks and vandalism, murders of journalists are rare.
Some journalists are asking the police for protection after receiving threats, but Karaivaz has not been detained because he, according to local reports, has not requested protection.
The shooting took place at a time when Greek authorities had been criticized for assigning too many police guards to a controversial TV presenter.
In July last year, tabloid editor Stefanos Chios survived after being shot in the neck and chest by a hooded man outside his home.
The incident is still under investigation.
In 2010, radio director, blogger and investigative journalist Socratis Giolias was shot dead outside his home. The case has not been resolved.
