In a memorandum submitted to the committee, Mr Xylouris said that giving public testimony as a witness could prejudice any future proceedings in which he might be summoned as a suspect or accused. He declared he would not attend the relevant parliamentary hearing.
New Democracy MPs on the committee said Mr Xylouris’ refusal ‘brings him face to face with the consequences of the law’ and announced they would forward the case immediately to the public prosecutor so that ‘all prescribed procedures for further action can be initiated’. The party added that his non-appearance ‘creates a gap’ in the committee’s examination, while stressing that the full assessment of evidence remains a matter for the judiciary.
The decision not to testify comes amid heightened scrutiny of those linked to the farming subsidies scandal. Greek authorities have launched parallel probes, including an anti-money-laundering review that has reportedly found unexplained deposits linked to Mr Xylouris.
The parliamentary inquiry itself has been fractious. During hearings this week a confrontation erupted between New Democracy MP Makarios Lazaridis and Stavros Tzedakis, the deputy regional governor of Crete, prompting the committee chair to intervene. PASOK accused Mr Lazaridis of bullying and later said it would seek the MP’s removal as rapporteur; Mr Lazaridis has threatened legal action against PASOK’s communications director in response.
The OPEKEPE committee is now entering its final phase, with MPs warning that refusals to cooperate could lead to criminal referrals and with political tensions running high as the probe moves towards conclusions and possible judicial follow-up.
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