Plevris said he had met the doctor during a period when he himself was experiencing health problems. According to the minister, the doctor had recommended certain preparations and a specific diet, which had also been approved by the doctor treating him at the time.
‘I met him while going through my health problems. He didn’t suggest any treatment. He suggested medications and diet. He also had the approval of the doctor who was treating me’, Plevris said.
He added that he subsequently remained in contact with the doctor, at whose clinic Giorgos Mazonakis later died. When news of the singer’s death emerged, Plevris said he decided to call him ‘like anyone would do’.
According to Plevris, the doctor later returned the call only to say that he did not wish to speak.
‘He called me back to tell me that he did not wish to speak, but there was no communication’, Plevris said.
Asked about the call and what he had wanted to discuss with the doctor, Plevris replied: ‘If you had a person you knew and you heard that Mazonakis died in his office, is it unreasonable to ask “what happened?” to a person you knew?’
Referring to his decision to disclose the contact publicly, Plevris said: ‘Why am I saying it? I’m afraid it might get out. If I didn’t say it, they would ask why I didn’t say it.’
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