Stefanos Kasselakis, former SYRIZA leader and current president of the Movement for Democracy party, is set to stand trial at the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court of Athens on May 8.
He reportedly faces charges of violating laws on bribery, asset declarations, and participation in foreign companies, following an investigation initiated by allegations in local press and from his former party SYRIZA.
The allegations stem from Kasselakis’ involvement in U.S.-based companies, one of which reportedly provided funds to SYRIZA. Prosecutors claim this violates laws prohibiting political leaders and officials from managing or owning foreign companies. Kasselakis has denied wrongdoing, asserting he was unaware of the legal restrictions.
The case revolves around provisions in Greek law (Law 3213/2003 and Law 5026/2023), which strictly forbid politicians, ministers, and party leaders from participating in foreign businesses, either directly or indirectly. Despite Kasselakis’ explanations during the investigation, criminal proceedings were launched, due to an alleged breach of these regulations.
This all follows months of speculation about Kasselakis’s financial dealings and bitter infighting between the former party president and SYRIZA. In November, an article published by the Athens daily “Efimerida ton Syntakton” alleged that Kasselakis’ wealth declaration had suspicious gaps. The politician responded with an extra-judicial letter to SYRIZA leadership, accusing them of leaking his wealth declaration to the press. SYRIZA eventually barred Kasselakis from running and pushed him out from the party.
SYRIZA had expressed intent to file an appeal in November with the judiciary against Kasselakis to investigate allegations over the latter’s involvement with offshore companies. Thymios Georgopoulos, SYRIZA’s former financial director, claimed that “the full extent of Kasselakis’ financial and legal ties will come to light, with further involvement from financial prosecutors expected.”
At the time Stefanos Kasselakis stated his intent to take “legal action against the slanderers” who, as he said, distorted his source of wealth declaration, while adding that he “hasn’t made single euro or dollar illegally.”
