The latest developments in the OPEKEPE case were analyzed by judicial correspondent Ioanna Mandrou in two separate appearances on Parapolitika 90.1 — first on the show Apenanti Mikrofona with Vasilis Skouris and Sotiris Xenakis, and later on Ston Aera with Niki Lyberaki, where she provided the full list of names and specific charges. Of the 13 individuals whose parliamentary immunity had been lifted or whose files had been referred separately, nine cases are being archived and four are facing criminal prosecution. Among other things, Mandrou explained why no special legislation is needed to fast-track the trial, and clarified who remains the sole defendant facing felony-level charges.
Read more: OPEKEPE: European Public Prosecutor’s Office charges 4 sitting MPs — charges dropped for the other 7
The OPEKEPE case: immunity lifted for 11 MPs
Mandrou recalled the background of this well-known case involving 11 MPs from New Democracy, whose parliamentary immunity was requested and lifted in 2021, based on a file sent by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to the Greek Parliament, containing transcripts from lawfully authorized wiretaps. In addition to the 11 MPs, two other individuals — Charalampos Athanasiou and Tasos Chatzivasiliou — had been referred separately to the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office and had already had their cases archived at an earlier stage, bringing the total number of individuals involved to 13.
Who is being prosecuted and on what charges
Criminal charges have been filed against Kostas Skrekas, Christos Boukouras, Maximos Senetakis, and Katerina Papakosta. The first three are charged with moral instigating of breach of trust and unlawful management of EU funds, while Papakosta faces additional charges of moral instigating of false certification and attempted computer fraud. Mandrou clarified that the EPPO filed charges against all four at the misdemeanor level, and that from the outset only two individuals had faced felony-level charges: Kostas Ach. Karamanlis, who is now being cleared, and Papakosta, who — if her felony charge is upheld — will be the only defendant in the case file facing charges at that level.
Who is being cleared
A total of nine individuals are having their cases archived. Seven of them — Kostas Tsiaras, Notis Mitarakis, Dimitris Vartzopouos, Theophilos Leontaridis, Vasilis Vasiliadis, Kostas Ach. Karamanlis, and Giannis Kefalogiannis — were archived within the main case file, while Charalampos Athanasiou and Tasos Chatzivasiliou had already been archived earlier through a separate referral to the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office.
Why no special law is needed to fast-track the trial
When asked whether the government’s announced legislation for the trial of political cases within three months would apply here, Mandrou stated that in this instance “no law is needed whatsoever.” She explained that the case dates back to 2021, that most charges are misdemeanors and will soon be subject to statutory limitations, meaning judicial authorities are effectively compelled to move swiftly: “Having a statute of limitations expire on your watch as a judicial officer is a very serious matter.”
Is a new case file expected?
When asked whether a new case file is expected — one that would involve political figures in connection with more recent dates — Mandrou said that for now there is no clear picture. She suggested that judicial developments could emerge over the summer, though she considered this less likely given the approaching July–August recess.
