Georgiadis condemns fake photo falsely identifying doctor in Mazonakis case

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Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis has condemned the spread of a false social media post that wrongly identified a doctor as Ioanna Gaka, one of the doctors facing charges in connection with the death of singer Giorgos Mazonakis.

The misleading post used an older photograph showing doctor Polytimi Leonardou alongside Georgiadis and claimed it was evidence of an alleged cover-up in the case.

The image was widely circulated across social media, prompting Leonardou to receive abusive messages and face public accusations despite not being a defendant in the case.

Georgiadis described the incident as “shameful and disgraceful” and questioned how such misinformation could spread so rapidly without the identity of the person in the photograph being checked.

Who is Polytimi Leonardou?

Leonardou is not accused in the investigation into Mazonakis’ death.

She is a member of the Medical Association of Athens and has been involved in its inspection procedures. She participated in an earlier inspection and in the inspection of the medical practice on Karneadou Street in Kolonaki following Mazonakis’ death.

In recent days, Leonardou has appeared in media reports discussing findings from inspections carried out by the Medical Association of Athens.

The doctor falsely identified in the social media post was Ioanna Gaka. Gaka, together with doctor Elias Theodoropoulos, is facing charges of homicide with possible intent in connection with the death of Mazonakis.

Both doctors have denied the allegations and have presented their own accounts to judicial authorities.

Bibila apologises after sharing the photograph

The photograph was also shared by Spyros Bibilas, an MP with the Course of Freedom party.

Bibilas later publicly acknowledged the mistake and apologised to Leonardou.

Speaking on OPEN TV’s “10 Παντού”, Bibilas said he had found the photograph circulating online and mistakenly believed it showed Gaka.

He said he removed the post almost immediately after being informed that the woman in the photograph had been wrongly identified.

Bibilas said his post was intended to address broader questions surrounding the case and the operation of the medical practice, rather than target Leonardou personally.

Georgiadis said he did not personally know either of the two doctors at the centre of the investigation and denied having prior knowledge of their professional activities.

The controversy comes as the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mazonakis’ death continues, with the allegations against the two doctors still subject to judicial examination.

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