In a recent article in the Sunday edition of “To Vima,” Nikos Androulakis, leader of the opposition PASOK-KINAL party, expressed strong criticism of the Greek government’s handling of the Predator phone-tapping scandal.
Androulakis highlighted a decision to shelve the investigation, calling it a “massive scandal” that has been unfolding over the past two years. He argued that efforts to downplay the issue have failed to hide the severe damage inflicted on Greece’s independent institutions and rule of law.
Androulakis emphasised three interconnected aspects of the scandal: the export of illegal Predator software to African countries, the surveillance and violation of human rights involving state secret services and private individuals, and an alleged cover-up by the government. He pointed out that the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy was restructured to hinder the investigation, and the National Intelligence Service (EYP) refused to comply with a Council of State ruling to inform him of the reasons for his surveillance. Androulakis announced his intention to file complaints with the European Court of Human Rights, citing violations of the right to a fair trial and private life.
Similarly, Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, accused the ruling New Democracy party of a “cover-up” operation. He criticized the government’s refusal to call key judicial figures to Parliament to testify about the case, comparing it to previous actions where ND had no such objections. Kasselakis warned that Greece, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is moving away from European democratic norms, likening the situation to Hungary under far-right leader Viktor Orban.
Both opposition leaders vowed to continue their fight to defend democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law in Greece, pledging to expose and prevent any attempts to cover up the scandal and hold the government accountable for its actions.
Read more: Predator phone-tapping scandal
(Source: Amna)