According to a succinct announcement published on Wednesday, on February 11, Greece’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum requested and accepted the resignation of Ioannis Sfyrakis, Deputy Commissioner of the Asylum Service.
The ministry’s official announcement did not specify reasons for his departure.
However, reports from EfSyn and Proto Thema suggest that Sfyrakis’ resignation is linked to an ongoing criminal investigation. According to EfSyn, he is facing allegations of attempted bribery dating back to 2020 when he worked at the Ministry of Labor. According to Proto Thema the Prosecutor’s Office has reportedly filed charges against him for “trading in influence,” which involves seeking or accepting bribes to influence official decisions.
The allegations reportedly stem from a complaint by businessman Diamantis Kondraros, who claims Sfyrakis, through a police intermediary, offered to help cancel a labor fine in exchange for €4,000. Kondraros partially paid but did not receive the promised intervention, leading him to go public with the case.
According to zougla.gr Sfyrakis has reportedly denied these allegations, insisting he only advised Kondraros to file an appeal.
