[InTime News]
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said Monday he will file a criminal complaint and civil lawsuit this week against former New Democracy lawmaker and current independent MP Marios Salmas over recent public remarks he described as defamatory.
“I have been thoroughly investigated by everyone. I have nothing to hide,” Georgiadis said in an interview with state broadcaster ERT. “Mr Salmas made an extremely offensive claim about my moral integrity. Since I do not wish to engage in a public dispute with him, this matter will go to the courts, where he will be asked to prove what he is saying.”
The dispute stems from a recent interview Salmas gave to Crete TV, in which he referred to alleged corruption in public hospitals and questioned the awarding of public contracts.
“I know exactly what is happening in hospitals and how contracts are given out. So he should be more careful,” Salmas said. “Sometimes investigations can also involve the health sector.”
Georgiadis was named in Greece’s Novartis corruption investigation, which ultimately did not result in any convictions against him.
Salmas served as deputy health minister in 2009 and as alternate health minister from 2012 to 2013. He was ousted from the ruling New Democracy party in 2024 after alleging that the government had manipulated tenders for catering services at the ministries of culture and health.