AKEL launched a fierce attack against the Legal Service regarding the decision to terminate the Anti-Corruption Authority’s investigation into the “black van” case.
In a statement, AKEL notes that “the ‘spy van’ scandalis turning into a scandal involving multiple cover-ups for which the Legal Service is responsible, and, together with the serious political questions that remain unanswered, it undermines the rule of law.”
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As he notes, “the evidence submitted to Parliament and before the Court demonstrates the operation of a system capable of mass surveillance and illegal wiretapping. They also demonstrate that authorities, officials, and possibly even political figures were aware of illegal surveillance linked to these specific companies, and that state agencies as well as politically connected individuals were involved in these activities.”
However, the statement continues, “the Legal Service suspended criminal proceedings against the key figures, citing the ‘public interest,’ while in its announcement today, the Anti-Corruption Authority states that the Legal Service itself has closed the door to further investigation. In short, those who had the duty and obligation to protect the rule of law became key players in its downfall, establishing a permanent pattern of cover-ups and obstruction of investigations, as has occurred in a series of cases in the past.”
At the same time, he notes that “the special investigator’s report on the scandal remains locked away in the Legal Service’s files, despite the European Parliament’s recommendations that it be made public.”
It adds, among other things, that “all this despite the fact that, in Greece, prison sentences were imposed for the same case, involving the same key figures, and similar offenses.”
AKEL “demands that the case of the spy van be reopened, that the Stefanos report be made public, and that all aspects be investigated.”
“Neither the ‘public interest’ nor a convenient silence can serve as an excuse for covering up such a serious case.”
The statement in its entirety
The cover-up of the “spy van” undermines the rule of law
The “spy van” scandal is evolving into a scandal involving multiple cover-ups for which the Legal Service bears responsibility; together with the serious political questions that remain unanswered, it undermines the rule of law.
The evidence submitted to Parliament and before the court demonstrates the operation of a system capable of mass surveillance and illegal wiretapping. It also shows that authorities, officials, and possibly political figures were aware of illegal surveillance linked to these specific companies and that state agencies as well as politically connected individuals were involved in these activities.
However, the Legal Service suspended criminal proceedings against the key figures, citing the “public interest,” while in a statement released today, the Anti-Corruption Authority reports that the Legal Service itself has closed the door on further investigation. In short, those who had the duty and obligation to protect the rule of law became the main players in its downfall, establishing a permanent pattern of cover-ups and obstruction of investigations, as has happened in a series of cases in the past.
At the same time, the special investigator’s findings on the scandal remain locked away in the Legal Service’s files, despite the European Parliament’s recommendations that they be made public.
All this despite the fact that, in Greece, prison sentences were imposed for the same case, involving the same key figures, and involving similar offenses.
AKEL demands that the case of the spy van be reopened, that the Stefanos report be made public, and that all aspects of the case be investigated.
Neither the “public interest” nor a convenient silence can serve as an excuse for covering up such a serious case.
