The former Minister of Public Order Yannis Panousis presented talks between an imprisoned leading member of the Conspiracy of Fire Cells (SPF) group and a SYRIZA officer, among others, when he testified before the prosecutor on Monday.
In the talks, which were recorded by the national intelligence agency EYP, the SPF members make reference to an arson attack against Panousis’ office in 2009 and make threats against his life. EYP reportedly recorded the calls as part of its counter-terrorism operations and supplied other police services with information on the relations of suspect prisoners.
During the recorded talks, it appears that promises were made towards the demands of criminal and anarchist prisoners. The former Minister claimed that he was blamed by SYRIZA officers whenever these demands could not be met, prompting a new cycle of threats.
It should however be noted that a number of SYRIZA officers have openly participated in prisoner rights and support groups for many years, with many of their actions publicized in the media. Additionally anarchist prisoners have openly expressed their reservation regarding the role of “certain government representatives”.
Reactions from SYRIZA Ministers
Upon arrival to the Tuesday morning’s ministerial meeting, Labor Minister Giorgos Katrougalos told journalists that the former Minister “is writing a novel and has submitted the named to the notary”.
The Alternate Minister of Education Sia Anagnostopoulou also commented that in her political opinion, such accusations are interesting when one is minister. She added that the allegations are of no interest to her when one is not a minister anymore, adding that the issue must nevertheless be investigated.
The Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Thodoris Dritsas commented that the allegations of Mr. Panousis were “police stories” while the Alternate Minister of Administrative Reform Christophoros Vernardakis told journalists that he is “not concerned with nonsense”.
