G. Florides in Covesi: Do not gradually transmit the files in which political persons are allegedly involved

The visit of the head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Laura Covesi, to the Ministry of Justice, which lasted about 30 minutes, has been completed.

Minister of Justice George Florides reiterated the positions of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis not to forward the files in which political figures are allegedly involved, such as the OPEKEPE case, in stages, something with which Mrs. Kovesi agreed with and pledged to look into resolving the matter.

At the same time, the Ministry of Justice will submit an amendment to Parliament to speed up judicial procedures in cases where political figures are involved.

The meeting at the Justice Ministry lasted about 30 minutes and was held in a positive atmosphere. In addition to Mr Florides and Mr Bougas, the head of the Executive Office of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Mr Milan Jaron, and the Deputy Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, Ms Eleni Karkabouna, head of the Office of the European Public Prosecutors in Athens, were present.

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As regards the issue of extending the term of office of the three Greek appointed European Public Prosecutors, Popi Papandreou, Hariklia Thanou and Dionysis Mouzakis, which has recently been the subject of intense public interest, Mrs. Kovesi asked when the decision of the Supreme Judicial Council of Civil and Criminal Justice (SCCJ) is expected. The answer from both Mr Florides and Deputy Minister of Justice Ioannis Bougas was that it is estimated that the decision of the CJP will be made within the first 15 days of next month.

At the same time, it was mentioned that following the decision of the College of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for a 5-year extension of the term of office of the three European Public Prosecutors in question, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, after consultation with the Ministry of Justice, sent a relevant question to the ACA, just as the Ministry of Justice submitted a similar question to the ACA.

Also, the Ministry of Justice has sent a second question to the ACA on the three new posts of Europrosecutors that have been created recently, although the ACA is not expected to cover them at its meeting next month.