The Greek government is facing mounting scrutiny following most recent revelations on the “Truth Team” case, as a lawyer linked to a prominent online propaganda outlet was once in business with the government’s official spokesperson.

Read more about the case here

Investigative journalist Christos Avramidis revealed that “Truth Team” (Ομάδα Αλήθειας), a pro-government media platform known for targeting political opponents, has been issuing legal threats through a lawyer who previously shared a law office with government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis.

The lawyer in question, Ilias Sideris, confirmed the past partnership in a social media post – lavishly praising Marinakis in the process – though he insisted the collaboration is no longer active.

Opposition party SYRIZA backed the claims, accusing the government of using shadowy tactics to silence dissent.

“The same lawyer who signed the legal notice against Dionysis Temponeras [a SYRIZA official] co-owned a law firm with Pavlos Marinakis,” the party said, calling the episode “another sign of panic” from the ruling New Democracy’s media machinery.

Further scrutiny came from left-wing daily Avgi, which reported that Sideris had also received nearly €100,000 in legal service contracts from the Ministry of Citizen Protection over the past three years – for services including drafting and editing of government legislation – raising fresh questions about the lawyer’s ties to the state apparatus.

Meanwhile, Gabriele Sakellaridis, former MP and current leader of the New Left, said he too received a legal notice from Truth Team following a televised interview. The group demanded that he publicly affirm it was an “independent and objective news platform” – a claim both he and his party flatly rejected. “Fear has changed sides,” Sakellaridis declared, accusing the government of operating a well-funded propaganda machine aimed at intimidating critics.

Sideris, now reportedly on professional suspension, doubled down in defending both his clients and Marinakis. “We worked together in more than one office,” he said. “Marinakis stood by my clients publicly. That’s an honour.”

The PM’s office has so far remained silent on the matter.

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