The former acting Prime Minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, spoke about the Novartis case on the occasion of the Financial Prosecutor’s decision to lift the protection status of the two protected witnesses, clarifying that he does not intend to take criminal action.
“I experienced this story very badly. Because it was something I didn’t expect at all, I was blown away. From then on I tried to react. I fought back with my lawyers. After all, the things they criticized me for were funny.
Because the whole accusation, specifically against me, was a paragraph that had been added to a third testimony and which said that I heard, that I was told and so on. Apparently, a lawyer had drawn them up so that the witness would not be held responsible,” said Mr. Pikramenos, speaking on the ERTNews Update show
When asked about the decision of the Economic Prosecutor’s Office, he answered: “I feel lighter. First, because the tangle will begin to unravel. And not only to unravel the tangle and find out who is hiding behind it. I will add something else: Let’s find what is hidden behind. Because this plot was not set up by accident. He wanted to cover something else. I feel relieved and that justice – and well done – did its duty.”
“I will not prosecute – I reserve the right to sue for damages”
Panagiotis Pikrammenos noted that he is not going to take criminal action, as he does not consider this to be the most effective way.
“I apologize to the other colleagues, who have turned to criminal charges. Because they were facing very serious charges, and because I have been the president of the Supreme Court, well, I don’t want to be brought before a court as an accuser. I don’t think that’s my position. Now as to the action for damages, I reserve the right. I’ll study it and see,” he explained.
The former prime minister also commented on the comments that claim that this decision harms the institution of witness protection.
“I won’t agree to that. Someone who has actual evidence to provide, of any kind, can put it here. These people were false witnesses in the first place. This was from the original file that we knew they had taken money from America. It arose from the fact that after a period of a year, a year and a half, the prosecutors began to exculpate the will. Therefore, I cannot understand how a comparison can be made between someone who is in an ordered service from the beginning and lies, and a person who has real evidence and presents it and who of course must be protected”, he underlined.
“The discussion about PtD should not take place now”
End,. to a question he received about whether he is interested in the Presidency of the Republic, Panagiotis Pikrammenos characteristically replied: “You are tempting me. Well, first of all, our prime minister has said that this debate offends the President, that this debate should be closed, it is not right for the current President of the Republic. And I accept that. Of course, while she is still in office, it is not a nice thing to talk about replacing her like that.
And to answer the first question, I directly and clearly believe that no Greek citizen who was offered the Presidency of the Republic would be able to refuse it. Because this is a great title of honor. But this is general and vague. The discussion should not take place now,” he pointed out.
#Bitter #Novartis #Finding
