The shocking apology of Kolokotronis!

Theodoros Kolokotronis, a leader in 1821, strategist, politician, attorney and counselor of the Territory, he was known as Old Man of the Morea .

In 1833, however, disagreements with the regency led him, along with other fighters in prisons Its- Kale in Nafplio on charges of treason.
The apology

President: I swear that I shall say the truth and only the truth in what asked.

I swear. (All sit in their seats).

What is your name?

Theodoros Kolokotronis.

Where do you come from?

Libovisi Karitena.

How old are you?

Sixty four.

What is your profession?

Military. I was a soldier. I held a rifle in hand and I was fighting over 49 years, day and night for the country. I was hungry, thirsty, did not sleep a lifetime. I saw my relatives die, my brothers in tyranny and my children dying before me. But I did not flinch. I believed that God had put his signature on our freedom and that he would not get it back.

What are you apologize on the charge?

Last July I went to Tripolitsa to wed a couple. From there, I traveled together with my daughter-in-law, to the monastery of Agia-Moni. On the eve of Assumption, Romas came in Karytaina where we stayed for a couple of days. Then, Romas left and I returned to Tripolitsa in August 18th.

Did you have other meetings with Roma previously?

I did not have any meeting with him, before. I met him for the first time in Tripolitsa. We did not have long talks. But we were eating together.

What did you talk about?

Usual talks that people say when they eat bread together.

Didn't you have the curiosity to ask Roma for the things he was saying concerning the regency?

I had no curiosity on my mind.

The rest of the time what did you do in Tripolitsa?

I was going to the bargain. I was gathering the villagers and was talking to them because they were irritated by those devils, the taxes. I was telling: "you shepherds, what were you paying during the time of Turks and what do you pay now? Don't you now pay less than the time of Turks?" And I prove that, using examples.

Do you know Prince Brent?

Yes, I know him. In fact, he came to Tripolitsa to see Roma. He is his groomsman.

What had you ordered via Brent to your son the Brave f Nafplio?

Nothing. Neither had I had anything to order.

Who else was in Tripolitsa in that time?

Nikitas and Plapoutas who had come from their villages.

What did you hear on a petition against the regency and the Bavarians?

I heard nothing nor did anybody ever tell me about any such reference.

Did you not hear anything?

No.

You know the robbers Kontovounisios , Balkana and Kapogianni ?

I know Kontovounisios from the civil war. Balkanas was a pig shepherd. I had chased him. Twice he has run away from prison. Kapogianni I do not know him.

Do you know the secretary of Kontovounisios, Christos Nikolaou?

Yes. He is a figurehead boy.

Do you know Alonistiotis?

I know him, and indeed is my kinsman.

Did you know that he was going to Livadia?

No, I did not know. Other people told me that he went there.

Haven't you seen him before?

No.

(Showing it). This letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia for you, is genuine?

Yes, it is.

Why the Russian Minister wrote to you?

It was an answer to my own letter. I wrote to him, because of the following incident: When our King came, Russia's ambassador Roukman left a letter in my orchard with recommending to the Russians captains of Aegean. That's why I did a same letter recommending him and the admiral Rikornt to our people. I didn't think that this would harm or be hindered. I did it out of subtlety.

What else you wrote in this letter?

Nothing else, except the recommendation. As for the letter I received said to love our King and our religion. I don't remember anything else. In the letter you can see what writes the Russian minister, thus revealing in what spirit I wrote to him.

When was the last time you left from here?

I do not remember well. I guess at the beginning of July. It was the first time that left since came the King.

And why did you leave?

The reason which caused me to leave the quiet life here is firstly because I'm hillbilly and mind the heat, second to wed a couple and third because my son Brave wrote me to not to get sick so I was staying in Tripolitsa for clean air.

And to those who came to see you what did you say?

I advised them, as I did in Agia Moni, where I made a speech for this.

Do you have anything else to say about the charge?
Only this. After the murder of the Governor, homeland was divided in two. When I learned about the appointment of the King, I made the flag and gathered all my friends and wrote a letter to Bavaria revealing our dedication. When the King came, I scattered my people and I calmed down.

Then, why you tried to counteract your king and the regency?

Me, counteract? But then you do not know yourself and all the Greeks, how hard I strived in the time of rebellion for the nation to have a Head and to miss my worries? Upon God gave me the King, I said to all my friends: "Now I'm happy. It will hang on my cape and will sleep in my hut and I will die peaceful and happy".

These words said the Old man, and sat on the bench, while the in hall was spread deep silence and suspense.

On May 25th 1834, along with Plapoutas, was sentenced to death.