Diotis: I copied the USB and destroyed the old one

In the statement filed by his counsel to the economic prosecutors, former SDOE chief Yannis Diotis gives a new dimension to the case of the USB containing the Lagarde list.

Diotis, who was summoned for an explanation regarding the crime of document falsification, besides those of embezzlement and breach of duty about which he has already testified, argues that he instructed a female associate of his to copy the stick given to him by then finmin Yorgos Papakonstantinou.

According to information, the former public prosecutor stated: «(...) However, since my knowledge in computers is not that good, I did not want to risk any damage from any mishandling during my review of the contents of this USB. In view of this I called lawyer Galatea Mane, which had just then been appointed as special advisor to me, to help me transfer the contents of the initial USB to another one so as to be able to review its contents on a copy.»

Diotis reportedly says that after the completion of the review he put the stick in a folder and asked his associate to inform him on how to do the complete deletion of content «to which I proceeded immediately because I did not want a copy in the possession of anyone prior to the minister’s decision on how to handle the issue. I have been traduced as a forger and a liar and I am neither one.»

As for the copying date (08/07/2011), he characteristically says that authorities must:

- investigate whether the content of that USB has undergone alterations and changes and what these might 

be
- perform a technical metadata display of all information contained in the USB as well as the material of its storage carrier

The associate whom Diotis mentions in his statement will be summoned in the next few days to testify before the economic prosecutors.