Greek government under pressure over minor rape scandal: Spokesman resigns

Greek government spokesman Christos Tarantilis resigned today, citing "family reasons", while the authorities are under fire for the rape of minors.

Tarantilis (57) stated in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that for family reasons he could no longer be the spokesperson of the government, but that he would remain a deputy of the ruling conservative New Democracy.

Tarantilis became the spokesperson less than two months ago, at the beginning of January during the cosmetic reconstruction of the Government, and he will be succeeded in that position by Aristotelia Peloni, his former deputy.

The right-wing government is the target of criticism from the opposition and the media, which accuses the authorities of trying to cover up the case of the sacked director of the Greek National Theater, Dimitris Linjadis, who was appointed by the government.

He is in custody, accused of two rapes of minors.

The left-wing opposition and the media are demanding the resignation of Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, who appointed Linjatis as theater director.

In Greece, the number of reports and investigations of cases of sexual abuse in the field of sports and culture has been increasing for the past two months.