Fotis Giagoulas

Fotis Giagoulas - alternative spelling Yiagoulas (in Greek: Φώτης Γιαγκούλας)- was a Greek bandit of the early part of the 20th Century.

Giagoulas was born in 1900 in the town of Metaxas, Kozani prefecture, and started his career as a bandit at 15 years of age. Legend has it that, like Robin Hood, he helped the poor with the money he stole mostly from rich people.

Giagoulas was arrested several times but always managed to escape. Finally, on September 21, 1925, the authorities caught up with him at his hideout on the foothills of Mount Olympus. The bandit had kidnapped two children of wealthy families and had demanded a large ransom, however, instead of the ransom, the police arrived. A gun battle ensued and Giagoulas was killed along with his companions Pantos Babanis and Kostas Tsamitas. Their heads were placed on public display at Servia.

External References

• Stories from Servia: Giagoulas, the bandit by Judith König (Ιστορίες γύρω απο τα Σέρβια: Ο Λήσταρχος Γιαγκούλας)