A parliamentary debate is underway in Greece over whether former Deputy Minister to the PM, Christos Triantopoulos, should be referred to a judicial council. The decision will determine the closure of a preliminary investigation into his alleged role in the backfilling of the Tempe train disaster crash zone. Triantopoulos, who denies all wrongdoing, had requested the case go directly to court, bypassing the parliamentary inquiry. His stance drew praise from the government but criticism from opposition parties and victims' families, who accuse him of misleading the public and fuelling a cover-up.

Christos Triantopoulos did not attend the Plenary session. Instead, he sent a letter referencing one he had previously sent to the preliminary investigation committee.

“New Democracy government continues the cover-up”

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), accused the New Democracy (ND) government of orchestrating yet another episode in what he calls the “cover-up series” regarding the Tempe disaster. He criticised the handling of the case, labelling the parliamentary investigation as a farce designed to shield those truly responsible.

He reiterated his party’s previous call for the abolition of laws that protect ministers from prosecution – a proposal rejected by ND, PASOK, and SYRIZA. Koutsoumbas promised that the KKE would continue to seek the truth both in Parliament and through public protest, stressing the need for justice and full accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

SYRIZA withdraws, slams government over judicial process

SYRIZA withdrew from the parliamentary process on Triantopoulos’ referral, denouncing it as unconstitutional. Party leader Sokratis Famellos accused the government of staging a “parliamentary coup” by bypassing proper legal procedures and suppressing witness testimonies – including PM Mitsotakis and other key officials.

Famellos insisted the investigation lacked legitimacy, as it was rushed, incomplete, and politically manipulated. He criticised the decision to send Triantopoulos directly to the judicial council without full examination of evidence, witness testimony, or expert analysis – claiming this undermined both justice and democratic transparency.

He also accused the government of orchestrating a “mafia-style cover-up” to protect those involved in the Tempe disaster, suggesting that Triantopoulos was acting on orders from the PM. Famellos concluded by warning that Greek society sees through this alleged betrayal and continues to demand answers.

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