In complete collapse of the opposition’s attempt to demonstrate the existence of “blue scandalOPEKEPE’s sources refer to it New Republic. According to the government side, despite hearings at the Commission of Inquiry, not a single clue emerged proving criminal offences, despite the claims of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The same sources claim that the process highlighted a “political smear plan» which was based on contradictions witnesses.
ND sources dispute the allegations of key witnesses:
- For Ms Tycheropoulou: They argue that the “pressures” she cited were just about her its obligation to complete audits and that no one asked her to release her VAT number. They add, don’t they, that did not meet the standard qualifications for her transition.
- For Grigoris Varras: They report that she accused him Maki Voridis for “breach of duty” because he signed an “I agree” but failed to say that this document was suggested by president of SYRIZA (Ath. Kaprelis). On the contrary, they accuse Mr. Varras himself of proceeding with payments in 2020 (especially in Crete) despite the contrary recommendations of the services.
- For Mr. Simandrakos: They note that the “pressures” he complained about were, as he admitted, only public statements of the then minister Lefteris Avgenakis and no interventions.
“Beli” against PASOK
ND directs its fire at PASOKaccusing it of an “unwillingness” to investigate the “green” mesh of companies (such as Cognitera, MESYNEL, AgroPoint) that were active in OPEKEPE.
They claim that PASOK is avoiding the call of the CEO of Cognitera, Mr. Koufoudakis, and link these companies to the Union of Agrinio and him Panagioti Koutsoupiawhom they describe as a historical member of PASOK.
In addition, they emphasize that the company’s cooperation Neuropublic with OPEKEPE started in 2010 during the government of George Papandreou, with the first contract being signed by the then deputy minister Milena Apostolaki — the current rapporteur of PASOK in the Examen.
They end up saying that Makis Voridis found the company already in the Organization and open the process to more providers, instead of favoring her.