Responding to the criticism he personally received, along with the government as a whole, from the president of Greek Solution, Kyriakos Velopoulos, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis emphasized that Tempi was a tragic accident that should not be subject to grave-robbing and political exploitation. “You were indeed the first to impose your view on xylene on PASOK and SYRIZA. They laughed the first day you said it and two years later they worshipped you. Just as I laughed then, I laugh today and say none of this exists“, said Mr. Georgiadis and continued as follows: “It was a tragic accident. A tragic accident that we wish had never happened, where those truly responsible should be punished, but which should not be subject to further grave-robbing and political exploitation. Fortunately, the trial will begin soon so everything will be revealed there, the public sense of justice will be satisfied, and the country can move forward on its path without further divisions. Divisions have cost the Greek people dearly and are unnecessary. It is not a service to the homeland for every political leader to do this“.
Georgiadis on Tempi: Toxicological tests will show absolutely nothing
The Health Minister also referred to the stance he has maintained regarding the request and hunger strike of Panos Routsis. The position I have expressed is that “of course toxicological tests should be conducted, without causing delay in the start of the trial“, said Mr. Georgiadis and repeated that the real goal of Ms. Konstantopoulou, as Mr. Routsis’ lawyer, was not the toxicological tests but postponing the start of the trial. Responding to criticism that the government controls justice, the Health Minister said what happened was that “some judges realized they must also satisfy the father’s legitimate request“.
“I have the view that toxicological tests will show absolutely nothing because there was no xylene, nor indole, nor benzene, nor any of these substances. However, this doesn’t mean that because I don’t believe it, toxicological tests shouldn’t be conducted. Let toxicological tests be done to show whether what I’m saying is true or false. But I said from the beginning that this request from one father should not harm the requests of other parents who want the trial to proceed. That’s what I said. And that’s ultimately what happened. Ms. Konstantopoulou celebrates it because she has to say something. Ms. Konstantopoulou failed, fortunately for Greece, because the only way for the truth to emerge and catharsis to occur is through justice“.
Shortly after, PASOK’s parliamentary spokesperson Pavlos Christidis asked the attending minister to take a position on a social media post by a New Democracy official. “I’ll read you something. I want you to listen carefully and tell me your opinion“, said Mr. Christidis and read the following excerpt: “After 23 days of hunger strike, he should logically be hospitalized for a few days to gradually start eating with a specific diet plan. Instead, he goes home. He will follow a specific diet plan to lose the weight he gained. At this point, I should remind you that Mahatma Gandhi, after 21 hunger strikes, was in a state of semi-paralysis, unable to stand on his feet. Sorry, but we’re not idiots“. This post, denounced PASOK’s parliamentary spokesperson, is from the former president of New Democracy’s local organization in Naxos and current president of Naxos community, and he asked to be informed about New Democracy’s reaction.
“Are you asking me to comment on the statement of a former local president and current community president? No, I won’t comment on anything. Call him to tell you. He doesn’t represent New Democracy. This statement doesn’t represent ND. I don’t know the gentleman. But I repeat, this is not ND’s position“, replied the Health Minister.
“I am Health Minister and I placed an ambulance station across the street, 24 hours, so Mr. Routsis wouldn’t suffer anything“, said Mr. Georgiadis. Commenting on Mr. Christidis’ references to the EODYSAM report and Akis Skertsos’ initial statements that it constitutes the “gospel“, the Health Minister reminded PASOK’s parliamentary spokesperson that “a prosecutor’s investigation has been ordered on how the report was compiled and Mr. Papadimitriou has been summoned as a suspect“.
“PASOK continues to support Velopoulos and Konstantopoulou”
“You’re taking Mr. Skertsos’ statement before the events. The subsequent events are that Greek justice, following reports from the National Technical University, two different reports, one from a professor regarding the fireball, and one who checked the materials in the commercial train wagons, and after studying the relevant video that caused the commotion, reached certain conclusions and obviously justice’s decisions are above every authority“, said Mr. Georgiadis and continued: “So are we discussing EODYSAM’s report on the fireball, which has been invalidated by the course of events? PASOK continues to support Velopoulos and Konstantopoulou and you think you’ll gain votes while essentially destroying a respectable political space that fate has given you to represent“.
The Health Minister also responded to criticism from the Greek Solution president about donations from the Onassis and Niarchos foundations. “This summer, dozens of human lives have been saved by the aircraft donated by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which travel throughout the Aegean from island to island transporting patients. The most famous case is the child from Metsovo, who was taken to Italy for transplantation. According to Kyriakos Velopoulos’ statement, these children and people are wrong to save their lives, because you don’t want us to accept money from the Niarchos Foundation“, said Mr. Georgiadis and added: “Near my friend Kyriakos’ house, the largest pediatric hospital in the Balkans is being built by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Your voters in Thessaloniki should know that Greek Solution doesn’t want Stavros Niarchos’ money“.
