European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi has confirmed that her office is investigating the cargo transported by the freight train involved in the tragic railway disaster in Tempe. In response to questioning by Greek MEP Kostas Arvanitis, Kövesi stated, "We had received information on the trafic of this liquid. We are looking into it and we'll see what we can do". She also reiterated her office's inability to scrutinise government members due to Greece’s law on ministerial immunity. Kövesi emphasised that she had informed the European Commission about this issue, as Greek legislation contradicts European law and obstructs the work of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

Kostas Arvanitis, Vice President of the LEFT group and head of SYRIZA’s delegation in the European Parliament, posed questions on Tempe case to Laura Kövesi during her hearing before the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).

Arvanitis urged the European Prosecutor to clarify whether she would investigate the freight train’s cargo, as expert reports have identified the presence of an unspecified flammable substance. This cargo had not been officially declared, raising strong indications of illegal cross-border transportation, potentially involving multiple countries, and evasion of customs duties.

In response, Kövesi confirmed:

“We had received information on the trafic of this liquid. We are looking into it and we’ll see what we can do”

Highlighting the prevailing sense of cover-up in Greece, Arvanitis also sought clarification from Kövesi regarding the investigation of political responsibility for Contract 717, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. He questioned why, despite the ability to bypass Article 86 of the Greek Constitution, she had not requested Greece to lift the immunity of the ministers involved. This would have allowed the investigation of former ministers Spirtzis—who has voluntarily requested the lifting of his immunity—and Karamanlis by the EPPO. Instead, the case was referred to national authorities.

Additionally, given that parliamentary immunity applies to accused individuals, Arvanitis asked why the implicated politicians were not at least summoned as witnesses to ensure a comprehensive investigation.

Kövesi responded that the EPPO is investigating Contract 717 and the use of EU funds before the accident, and it had already pressed charges against involved individuals. She reiterated her office’s inability to investigate government members due to Greek law. Kövesi stressed that the European Commission had been informed of the issue, as Greek legislation contradicts EU law and hinders the EPPO’s operations.

“If no one lifts the immunity, we cannot do anything about this case,” she stated.

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