Peponis: The House should be informed of former PM's-FM's blame, if any

The transfer of proceedings of the ELSTAT case to the House in order to investigate any criminal responsibility of former PM George Papandreou and former Finance Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou and other members of the economic team of the previous government, was requested in a letter by economic prosecutor Grigoris Peponis to Supreme Court prosecutor Yiannis Tentes.

Mr. Tentes has already forwarded the case file to Deputy Prosecutor of the Supreme Court Nikos Pantelis, who is responsible for financial matters.

The reason for the investigation was the complaints of teacher and ELSTAT member Zoi Georganta concerning the inflation of the revised deficit of 2009 which paved the way for the imposition of harsh austerity measures.

Reportedly, Mr. Peponis is relying upon the 18 witness statements which he has in his hands.

According to sources, the financial prosecutor is not suspicious of ELSTAT head Mr. Andreas Georgiou, even though he had invited him to give a statement.

This does not mean that Mr. Georgiou will not testify as a suspect. The prosecutor could call him as such, but is not obliged to take his statement, after his investigation… trips upon any responsibilities of the former PM, Mr. Papakonstantinou and other members of the economic team of the previous government.

It is noteworthy that Peponis’ move comes just one day after the filing of complaints made by him and his colleague Mr. Spyros Mouzakitis, on interventions in their work by “vested interests”.

Minister of Justice Mr. Miltiadis Papaioannou has already used harsh words on the way in which the two prosecutors handled that situation.

After having been made aware of the findings of Supreme Court deputy Prosecutor Mr. Fotis Makris, Mr. Papaioannou mentioned that their behavior affected the prestige of the judiciary. Among others, the Justice Minister, reproached them as to why they did not eventually reveal the names of the interests that hindered their work.