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- Ελληνικά
A meeting at the Legal Service to evaluate the progress of the police investigations and the findings so far in the cases concerning the Monastery of Saint Avvakum, announced that the Attorney General of the Republic, Mr. George Savvidis, answering questions from journalists today, on the sidelines of a conference on Administrative Law co-organized by the Parliamentary and Participatory Democracy Foundation of the House of Representatives, in cooperation with the Academy of the Legal Service of the Republic. The Attorney General also gave an answer about his friendship with the former President of the Republic in connection with various allegations about the intentions of the Legal Service regarding the investigation launched by the Independent Authority against Corruption on what Makarios Drusiotis mentioned in his book "State Mafia", while he also mentioned the issue of multiple pensions.
In relation to the ongoing police investigations regarding the Monastery of Saint Avvakum, Savvidis said that "this is a very broad issue, which covers various aspects. Our policy as a Legal Service is to limit as much as possible public statements about ongoing investigations. But what I can tell you is that now that the various teams and the criminal investigators that we have appointed have had the opportunity to carry out some work, within days I intend - and we have already invited all the investigators and interrogators - to hold a meeting in the Legal Service so that we can assess where the matter stands so far."
Asked whether a police file has been sent to the Legal Service in connection with the case of the Monastery of Saint Avvakum, Mr. Savvidis said that although he himself read today's publication that wants such a file to be forwarded within the week to the Legal Service, so far he has not received any information. He noted, however, that he would know more about the matter after the meeting he has called at his office in the next few days.
Asked to comment on the Anti-Corruption Authority's investigation into Makarios Drusiotis' book "State Mafia" and how he responds "to those who are already questioning any intentions of the Legal Service because of the close friendly relations that - as you have said publicly - you have with Mr. Anastasiades", the Attorney General of the Republic replied. It is a given that we have respect for the independent anti-corruption authority. We demonstrated this during the time when the case against the Assistant Attorney General was being examined.
As far as my relations with the former President of the Republic are concerned, I believe that the honourable and right thing to do was what I did, which was not to conceal from anyone the personal relationship of friendship that has linked us for 40 years.
As far as my relations with the former President of the Republic are concerned, I believe that the honourable and right thing to do was not to conceal from anyone the personal relationship of friendship that has linked us for 40 years. Something I did from the very first moment. From there, if and when any circumstances arise where the Legal Service is called upon to make any decisions, you know very well that there are ways and avenues to resolve any relationships, any conflicts or any issues that may be creating any problems."
Asked whether the above statement implied that he might ask to be excluded from future proceedings, the Attorney General of the Republic replied that "I do not want to take any position at this stage. What I want to reiterate is that I have never concealed my friendly relationship with the former President of the Republic, and I believe that this was the right and honourable thing to do."
Regarding the recommendation of the Anti-Corruption Authority to prosecute Michael Katsunotos, and asked to comment on whether the Legal Service of the Republic has made any decision, and whether this decision will be communicated, the Attorney General said that his office is in contact with the independent Anti-Corruption Authority on the matter. "We are currently in communication with the Anti-Corruption Authority. If the Authority wants to tell you anything, it can tell you. I do not wish to make any public statement on the matter," he said."
Asked whether "those who speak of obfuscation around some decisions of the Legal Service" are "confirmed when there is no information on an issue that has been the subject of public debate and "in this case, we have the Public Prosecutor's Office not disclosing its decision, with the Authority referring the matter to the Public Prosecutor's Office, which is the final word," Mr. Savvidis replied. If you look at all our decisions - despite the fact that many people accuse us of limiting ourselves to stating the decisions without explaining them - I believe that in most of the cases that have been in the public eye, we have issued multi-page and very explanatory decisions. If necessary, we will do so here and in any other case of public interest."
Asked to comment on the issue of multiple pensions and where this is headed, the Attorney General replied that this is a political decision, however, care must be taken in any legislation that is enacted so that it is not unconstitutional. "Some bills have been drafted by the Ministry of Finance in consultation with the Legal Service, which has carried out a legislative review. Beyond that, the issue is political. If Parliament disagrees with the philosophy of the laws and proposes something else, it is a matter that does not concern the Legal Service. It concerns the State, the Executive and the Legislature. What is important to mention is that based on the Supreme Court decisions that have been handed down, it is not so easy to make such regulations that affect pensions that have already been crystallized. Therefore, we have to be careful in the legislative regulation, so as not to run into unconstitutional provisions again."
Finally, commenting on today's conference on Administrative Law, co-organized by the House of Representatives and the Academy of Legal Services, Savides noted that the large attendance of both speakers and participants indicates the importance that the conference carries. "This is a very interesting conference concerning administrative law. Distinguished speakers from Greece have been invited to it. I am particularly pleased that this conference is co-organised by the Academy of the Legal Service and the House of Representatives, with which, from the very first moment of assuming our duties as Assistant Attorney General of the Republic, we wanted to strengthen our relations. Today's event is part of this context," he said.
(ML)
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