[InTime News]
Recent developments in the wiretapping scandal have “dealt a crucial blow to the heart of the rule of law,” former Greek president Prokopis Pavlopoulos has said, in comments sharply critical of the government and the justice system.
Speaking at an event in Athens organised by the Union of Greek Constitutional Scholars and the Administrative Chamber of Greece, Pavlopoulos said the “blow” stemmed both from the executive branch – “and to be precise, the government” – and, “unfortunately, from manipulations within the justice system itself.”
He said such actions “leave in darkness the tolerance or even cover-up of practices” that constitute a blatant violation of the fundamental right to the confidentiality of communications.
The remarks appeared to refer to Monday’s decision by Greece’s top prosecutor not to reopen the wiretapping case, despite a court ruling calling for further investigation into possible additional offences and suspects.
Pavlopoulos, a former professor of administrative law, served as interior minister in a New Democracy government from 2004 to 2009 and as president from 2015 to 2020.