Tempe victims’ relatives association president says EPPO panel illegally referred case to Greek parliament

In a social-media post and an accompanying memorandum, Ms Karystianou says the EPPO’s 11th section decided on 2 June 2023 – ‘without Ms Kovesi’s signature’ – to refer the Tempe criminal case to the Greek Parliament. She asserts that the decision effectively prevented a full criminal probe into alleged ministerial failures to implement ‘Convention 717’, and produced ‘the well-known result of the impunity of those responsible’.

Ms Karystianou alleges the chamber used a rushed, ‘fast-track’ procedure and relied on a precautionary interpretation of the statute of limitations that, she says, was no longer in force in 2023. As a result, she claims, responsibility for investigating and prosecuting the criminal responsibilities of Greek ministers was transferred to Parliament, where only a simplified inquiry took place, one that, she says, ‘archived and buried the case’.

She also accuses the EPPO’s permanent section of remaining silent and of failing to invoke Article 29 of the EPPO regulation, which she says imposes a duty on the European public prosecutor to conduct criminal investigations and to submit reasoned proposals for the waiver of immunity or privilege.

‘We expect Ms Kovesi to investigate the entire background of this decision of the 11th chamber of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office,’ Ms Karystianou wrote, calling on the EPPO and the European Union to examine the matter and to take a clear position. She warned that the chamber’s action, if left unchallenged, would set ‘a dangerous judicial precedent’ allowing member states to sidestep the EPPO’s role and to leave politicians who allegedly misuse EU funds unpunished.

‘The EU must take a stand if it cares at all about its interests and the use of European funds for their true purpose,’ she added. ‘If the EPPO and the EU institutions do not react immediately, corruption and the embezzlement of European funds will continue unhindered under their noses and with their tolerance.’

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