In a letter to the Pre-investigation Committee, former Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Christos Triantopoulos, requested to be directly referred to trial, effectively ending the Committee’s work that began yesterday.
The opposition had left open the possibility of upgrading the charges against him from misconduct (a misdemeanor) and calling other political figures to testify. These actions can no longer take place.
Triantopoulos reiterated his innocence, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the move “a courageous step with no modern precedent.”
A formal report from the Committee must now be issued, approved by Parliament, and a judicial council will be formed to decide on whether to refer the case to the Special Court.
Opposition parties accuse the government of obstructing the summons of key witnesses and the potential expansion of charges, and they support rejecting Triantopoulos’ request. “Mr. Triantopoulos should be referred according to the Constitution and the laws, not as it suits New Democracy,” said PASOK.
The Prime Minister also stated, “The time is approaching for a major revision of Article 86 of the Constitution, which would facilitate the search for the truth and limit or eliminate Parliament’s involvement in the prosecution of ministers.”
Triantopoulos’ move is expected to set a precedent for other potential cases involving political figures related to the Tempi incident, which may be referred to Parliament in the near future, according to “Kathimerini.”
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