Kyriakos Panagoulis (1939-1976) was a Greek photographer and political activist who is best known for his iconic images of the Greek military junta of 1967-1974. Born in Athens, Greece, he studied photography at the Athens School of Fine Arts and began his career as a freelance photographer in the early 1960s. He quickly gained recognition for his work, which often focused on social issues and political unrest in Greece.
In 1967, when the military junta seized power in Greece, Panagoulis became an outspoken critic of the regime and began to document its abuses through his photography. His images captured the brutality of the regime and helped to bring attention to its oppressive policies. He also wrote articles for various newspapers and magazines about the situation in Greece under the junta.
In 1969, Panagoulis was arrested by the junta for his activism and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released after five years due to international pressure from human rights organizations. After his release, he continued to document human rights abuses in Greece through his photography and writing.
In 1976, Panagoulis was assassinated by unknown assailants while driving near Athens. His death sparked outrage throughout Greece and around the world, with many people believing that he had been killed by agents of the junta. His legacy lives on through his photographs which continue to be exhibited around the world today.