The two witnesses had testified against several political figures implicated in the Novartis case. Their testimonies played a key role in allegations of corruption involving prominent politicians. However, these claims were later dismissed, and the cases against all political figures were dropped due to insufficient evidence of criminal activity.
Assistant prosecutor Eleni Papadopoulou, who is attached to the Financial Prosecutor’s Office, recommended the revocation of the witnesses’ protection. This proposal was accepted by Financial Prosecutor Panagiota Fakou, who decided to lift the protections and expose the two individuals to potential criminal prosecution.
The decision marks a significant shift in the treatment of the Novartis whistleblowers and is expected to have both criminal and political implications, particularly as the political figures originally implicated in their testimonies may now take legal action against them for defamation.
Among the politicians who called for the revocation of witness protection were former Primer Minister Antonis Samaras, the Governor of the Bank of Greece Yiannis Stournaras, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, and former Minister Andreas Loverdos. They have consistently argued that the whistleblowers should be held accountable for their allegations, claiming that the case against them lacked substance and was politically motivated.
In a public statement, Samaras said: “The decision of the Court is particularly important. The road is now wide open for the full and official disclosure of the Novartis plot. The causes and protagonists of this misery will be revealed. I am very happy about this development. The moment of truth is coming. Until the end. For everything – and for everyone!”
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