Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is under pressure following the discovery that the mobile phone of his political opponent, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, was tapped by order of EYP – the intelligence service that reports directly to the PM’s office.
The case has shocked Greeks and sparked political uproar, leading Mitsotakis to apologise to the leader of the country’s opposition Socialist party.
In a preview of Sunday’s To Vima newspaper, Mitsotakis was quoted as saying: “I wasn’t aware, I would have never allowed it. I owe Mr Androulakis an apology for the mistake made.”
“It was a serious and unforgivable mistake,” the Greek PM added.
The conservative Prime Minister is expected to make a public address over the case on Monday.
This comes after Mitsotakis office, only hours earlier, had revealed the resignation of Panagiotis Kontoleon, until then the much-revered EYP chief, for “incorrect actions’.”
Mitsotakis’ nephew and most trusted aide, Grigoris Dimitriadis, had also stepped down – taking a bullet for his boss that was hoped would put the scandal to bed.
Androulakis first filed a complaint with prosecutors at the country’s supreme court last week, detailing the wiretapping attempt.
“I never expected the Greek government to spy on me using the darkest practices,” Androulakis said in a televised address late on Friday as the extent of the espionage became apparent and following the resignations.
“It is our democratic duty to protect the human rights and freedoms of Greek citizens. Today is a moment of truth for those whose arrogance and sense of impunity make them capable of anything.”
Androulakis also called on parliament to set up an investigative committee to look into potential political responsibilities for the attempted tapping of his phone.
Source: The Guardian.
