The finalized decision of the Athens Single-Member Misdemeanor Court regarding the wiretapping scandal is expected to trigger a cascade of judicial developments. Four individuals were sentenced to a total of 126 years imprisonment (eight years to be served) with suspensive effect pending appeal. Following the decision’s finalization, significant developments are anticipated as the court decided to forward the trial proceedings for investigation of additional persons and other crimes, including espionage. Simultaneously, developments are expected at the parliamentary level, as PASOK president Nikos Androulakis has announced that after the decision’s finalization, he will submit a request for the establishment of an investigative committee.
Yesterday, Mr. Androulakis announced that he received the finalized decision of the Athens Single-Member Misdemeanor Court regarding the wiretapping case. Speaking on Open TV, he stated that “it’s 2,000 pages. We’ve already seen some evidence. We will study it and I will take new legal and political initiatives. I’m continuing the fight at the European Court of Human Rights, and once we study it, we’ll proceed with a new investigative committee.” “At this phase of the case, two sides will be formed. Those who serve the country, the people and the public interest, and those who remain silent in the face of power and their seats. The Greek people will judge us on which side each person stands and under what terms,” he meaningfully added.
The circle of implicated persons may expand
Following the finalization of the Athens Single-Member Misdemeanor Court decision, it is expected to be immediately forwarded to the Athens Court of First Instance Prosecutor’s Office to begin a new cycle of investigations based on evidence that emerged during the hearing process. This development will pave the way for further investigation of potential criminal liability beyond those already tried, while the circle of implicated persons may expand. The focus remains on the four private individuals who were already convicted for illegal access to personal data systems and monitoring telephone communications, but forwarding the case to the Prosecutor’s Office signals investigation into new crimes, such as espionage and complicity in surveillance of high-ranking public officials.
Wiretapping scandal: New moves being prepared by victims
Meanwhile, at the civil level, new moves are already being prepared by surveillance victims, including persons who had not previously sought justice. Among them is Lakis Lazopoulos, who is included among persons allegedly targeted through malicious software. Predator case victims’ advocate Zacharias Kesses announces “rapid-fire developments” at multiple levels. “The developments will be rapid-fire at all levels. At the civil level, lawsuits are already being prepared for victim compensation from mobile phone hacking, while simultaneously there are new persons who will immediately move both criminally against the four convicted at first instance and against any other responsible party,” Mr. Kesses emphasized. As competent sources told “Parapolitika,” the judicial investigation of the wiretapping scandal did not close with the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court decision. On the contrary, case experts point out that its investigation has now essentially begun, bringing into focus the crime of espionage, which had not been investigated previously. This could lead with mathematical precision to liability of persons who had not appeared in the spotlight until now.
