PASOK is requesting a preliminary committee to be formed for Akis

The PASOK parliamentary group has settled for a proposal concerning a preliminary committee to be formed on the trafficking of “black money” after studying briefs submitted to the House by the prosecutor, in relaiton to the case of the Hellenic Navy submarine contract during Akis Tsohatzopoulos’ term at the Ministry of National Defence.

As mentioned in the notice of the Press office of the Parliamentary Group of PASOK, this process is the fastest and most effective way of establishing “active criminal responsibilities in both the legal and ethical aspects of the issue, on which there is evidence requiring a thorough investigation by the House”, is ensured.

The proposal, including the information required by Parliament regulations and the Constitution, as well as the people being investigated, will be submitted in the next few days, while the decision and the establishment of the preliminary investigation will be postponed until after the Easter holidays.

All other aspects of the submarine case have already been discussed in the special standing committee responsible for defense products and contractual agreements.

The secretary of the PASOK parliamentary group, Vasilis Exarchos, contacted the House chairman Philippos Petsalnikos, as well as the chariman of defense and arms procurement, Eftihis Damianakis and Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos, in order to initiate proceedings in consultation with parties.

The period under investigation only pertains to the term of Akis Tsohatzopoulos in the ministry, but is obviously open to the possibility of adding other persons, if evidence becomes available.

On its part, the New Democracy party will request the establishment of a preliminary committee for the submarines scandal for the period of 1998-2002, as announced by party spokesman, Giannis Michelakis.

Furthermore, the party will propose the examination of facts by the House Standing Committee of defense programs and contracts for the period of 2002 until today, in order to determine its further approach in light of the findings.