Fmr SYRIZA Min. Nikos Pappas referred to Special Court

Former minister Nikos Pappas will face the Special Court regarding his manipulations in the competition for television licenses. This was decided by the Supreme Judicial Council in full line with the referral proposal of the deputy prosecutor of the Supreme Court Georgia Adelini.

The former minister is referred to be tried before the Special Court that will be set up – according to the constitution – by supreme judges from the Supreme Court and the Council of State for the offense of dereliction of duty which is considered a misdemeanor.

Kalogritsas also on trial

Based on the referral panel, businessman Christos Kalogritsas will also face trial along with Nikos Pappas. Kalogritsas had participated in the competition for television licenses at the urging of the former minister, in order, as he has complained, for the then SYRIZA-ANEL government to acquire a channel as a party mouthpiece.

The decision to prosecute fully adopts the prosecutor’s proposal and arguments regarding the criminal liability of both for organizing and manipulating the competition for television licenses, which had provoked fierce political controversy, while the relevant law was finally annulled by the Plenary of the Council of State.

It is recalled that businessman Christos Kalogritsas complained to the Parliament, but also to Justice, that in order to take part in the competition and claim a TV license, under the guidance of Nikos Pappas, he received 3 million euros from a Lebanese company to cover the guarantee required by law for participation in the competition.

“I knew I would be accused of what I revealed. I did it to restore my name and reputation,” Christos Kalogritsas had testified.

The former minister, from the first moment, has been denying accusations and has spoken about the instrumentalization of Justice.

Following the decision for referral by the Judicial Council, Parliament will draw lots among the highest judges who will comprise the Special Court, which as it seems will be determined in September with the beginning of the new judicial year.