In 2000 , following a ruling by the '' Áreios Págos '' ( Supreme Court of Greece ) , Paech said that Germany had to compensate the victims of Nazi war crimes in Greece . One event noted at the time , for which German president Johannes Rau laid a memorial wreath , was the Massacre of Kalavryta . Paech had also represented survivors and relatives of the Distomo massacre , saying in 2000 , " It is not only the money that the victims are concerned about , but also the German side 's acknowledgement of its responsibility for the crimes committed . The SS executioners , who executed 218 villagers ( of Distomo ) in retaliation against an attack by Greek guerrillas , still celebrate each year in Marktheinfeld ( a town in Bavaria ) their adventures in Greece and have still not given account for their deeds .... " Paech was also well known for his studies on the Kurdish issue – championing the Kurdish people 's right to self-determination and secession from Turkey
Distomo massacre
Distomo massacre
Norman Paech