PASOK-KINAL party leader Nikos Androulakis referred directly to the still simmering phone-tapping scandal in Greece, speaking from Parliament’s podium on Thursday during debate on a draft bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the country, saying he’s taken every legal action foreseen at the national and European level to shed light on the case.
Androulakis, then a serving MEP in the European Parliament, was the highest profile politician in the country whose cell phone was phone-tapped roughly two years ago by the Greek intelligence service (EYP), following approval by a relevant prosecutor assigned with the latter organization.
“But is it my fault that the justice system has still not yet summoned Mr. Dimitriadis to testify? And then you wonder how the resolution by the European Parliament arose. Why don’t you ask half of the ministers and the leadership of the armed forces, who were also under surveillance, to explain themselves? Your arrogance leads you to self-mockery and to insulting our rule of law,” Androulakis said, in directing his comments to Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and citing Grigoris Dimitriadis.
The latter served as the director of Mitsotakis’ office at the Maximos Mansion government seat before resigning in the wake of the scandal and his alleged involvement. Dimitriadis is also Mitsotakis’ nephew.
Dimitriadis, an attorney, subsequently filed and threatened to file lawsuits that critics charge is flagrant SLAPP intimidation.
He also referred to this week’s damning resolution by the European Parliament, taken with a majority vote, which raises concerns over the rule of law in Greece and press freedom. Additionally, Androulakis alluded to media reports of widespread eavesdropping by the intelligence service of office-holders, ministers, rival politicians, journalists and even the armed forces’ leadership in Greece.
