The Larissa Prosecutor’s Office approved Panos Routsi’s request for toxicological examinations on his son’s body, while government officials commented on related developments. As they emphasized, the government, from the very first moment, expressed its support for Mr. Routsi’s human suffering, while simultaneously condemning the political exploitation of the case by the opposition. They also underlined their complete respect for the separation of powers and the role of justice, noting that only the Prosecutor’s Office had the authority to decide on the examinations.
At the same time, they condemned those who attempted to instrumentalize the Tempe tragedy for petty party gains, emphasizing that the search for truth and accountability will only be achieved through the upcoming trial, despite efforts by certain parties to delay it.
Specifically, they stated:
First, the position of the prime minister and the government, as expressed from the first moment through Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, was full support for the human pain of hunger striker Mr. Routsi, away from the undisguised attempt at political exploitation of the tragic father by opposition parties.
“The government absolutely respected the role of justice and the separation of powers”
Second, the government absolutely respected the role of justice and the separation of powers, which constitutes an essential principle of our democracy. Only the Larissa Prosecutor’s Office, in this case, had the authority to judge the relevant requests for toxicological examinations and not the parties or television panels. Respect for judicial independence is a foundation of democracy and a permanent principle for the government.
Third, the attempt by those who tried to instrumentalize the great tragedy of Tempe and exploit the human pain of relatives for party purposes, to achieve their one and only goal which was to delay the trial, fell flat. The universal demand for truth, justice and accountability passes only through the trial, which will be conducted, no matter how much certain opposition parties who have invested their political survival in exploiting the relatives of the victims of the Tempe tragedy do not wish it.
