Androulakis accused the government of colluding with the witness to prevent testimony, saying the non-appearance had written ‘another chapter in the cover-up of the OPEKEPE scandal and the “blue” criminal organisation according to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’s case file’. He described Xylouris as a central figure in the affair and alleged close ties to senior New Democracy figures.

‘“Frapes”, party leader and dinner companion of Mr Mitsotakis, ignored the investigative committee to keep mouths shut,’ Androulakis said, alleging the refuge was designed to avoid disclosures about relationships with ministers, including Makis Voridis. He also pressed for clarity about a figure identified in case material as ‘Grigoris’, whom he said was arranging meetings with senior officials, and questioned why ‘L. Avgenakis was dictating him to file lawsuits’.

Androulakis claimed the witness had avoided testimony to obscure remarks allegedly made to associates, including threats to take steps to remove a European prosecutor and to prevent investigations through political intervention, and said that, on one occasion, the man had suggested it would have been better to kill an OPEKEPE employee to avoid exposure. ‘You wanted to hide this stench from the Greek people today,’ he said.

Responding to the government’s argument that the matter had been referred to the prosecutor, Androulakis rejected the defence as a ‘smokescreen’ and accused lawmakers acting for the ruling party of excessive zeal when pressing witnesses. He implied that some interventions on the committee were directed by the government.

The PASOK leader denounced what he called a culture of impunity and information manipulation inside the state, accusing the executive of fostering ‘mechanisms of disinformation and character assassination’ incompatible with a modern liberal democracy. He accused pro-government media of attempting to cast political opponents as allies of New Democracy.

Androulakis also attacked the government’s proposed reforms to public broadcaster ERT. He said the bill would place ‘absolute control’ over appointments and budgets in the hands of the executive, bypassing independent appointment procedures and oversight mechanisms. ‘The government is a leading player in disinformation and distortion,’ he said, arguing it lacked the moral authority to reform public television.

He closed by framing the row as part of a broader political struggle. Describing those he opposes as ‘ruthless adventurers’ who cannot withstand transparency, he said the aim of his party was to force a change of government. He warned that a forthcoming legislative initiative would be presented as a demand for ‘political change, accountability and control’ and insisted that the present administration must go.

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