George Syrmalis: Complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office regarding practices of the Domestic Property (UPD)

A new head-on clash over domestic property sparked public intervention by surveyor Giorgos Syrmalis, prompted by announcement by the Domestic Commission on «plantings» on the estates of the Myrtidians. Mr. Syrmalis characterizes the call «incredibly provocative» and «offense to common sense», at a time when, as he claims, significant amounts have already been spent on clearing and cultivating the same land.

As he states, since November 6, 2025, he has submitted complaint–report at the Piraeus Public Prosecutor's Office against the president of EEPKA Evangelos Venardos, the members of the Committee, and an official from the Municipality of Kythira, referring – according to him – to indications of mismanagement, illegal clearings without permits, waste of resources on the grounds of the Holy Shrine of Myrtidia, but also «fictitious invoices» and «under-the-table deals».

In his complaint, he cites posts on Diafgeia, technical studies and aerial photographs, calling for a full investigation into the operation and management of Echnori under the current administration.

The letter to the media from Georgios Syrmalis follows below.

«Responding to the call of the Domestic Committee for planting, even though a significant amount of money has been spent on clearing and cultivation, I consider this call to be incredibly provocative and offensive to every resident of this island.

On November 6, 2025, the following criminal complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office against Mr. Venardou and the members of the Local Council, stating:

III: I think it is only natural that the above has given me reasonable grounds for suspicion regarding the operation and management of the EEPKA under its current chair and members.

Thus, the audit (via the documents posted on the transparency portal) proved that

a: Every year since at least 2022, the Commission has spent more than €20,000 on clearing and cultivating land belonging to the Holy Shrine of Myrtidia, when, as can be seen in the notice posted on the Diafgeia website with ADA: 9Η10ΟΡ18-ΑΧ6 (fig. ) Announcement of Auction of Olive Trees, they expect to collect less than 2,000 euros per year, and there are no interested parties!

b: It should be noted that there are no legal clearings without accurate plans and permits!!! Technicians who use GPS have subscriptions to TOPCON and pay for them, and they even bought drones to easily make large-scale topographical surveys, but it seems that legality is an issue for them here as well.  Clearing without a permit means fines and reforestation. It is time for the President and his associates to indicate where and how much land they cleared, because the investigation proved that, over time, no information was provided to the local branch of the Forestry Service, let alone approvals for clearing being issued or requested!

Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that these are fictitious invoices and that these are under-the-table transactions.

As for democratic accountability and social control to provide answers to the issues raised, there is no question of that. The President and his associates despise me, they will respond with silence and they will insult me, threaten me, and slander me in the media.

I am unable to follow the president's reasoning and his attempt to hide in the crowd. Obviously, other specialties are needed. The issue is no longer what this gentleman does, but rather the “de jure” owner of Echnori and defender of the pan-Hellenic movement, given that his choice for ** comes rerum privatum ** , = ruling pangaris proves disastrous.

Attached: complaint, excerpts from Diafania.

What does the criminal complaint filed by Syrmali with the Piraeus Public Prosecutor's Office state?

On November 6, 2025, surveyor-engineer George Syrmalis filed a complaint with the Piraeus Public Prosecutor's Office against the president of the EEPKA, members of the Committee's Board of Directors, and an official of the Municipality of Kythira, requesting an investigation into a series of issues that, he claims, concern the management of the properties of the Holy Shrine of Myrtidia and the Local Property.

Specifically, Mr. Syrmalis states:

1. Expenses for clearing and cultivation

According to his report, since 2022, Echnoris has spent—through decisions posted on Diafgeia—more than €20,000 per year on clearing and cultivation work on the Myrtidia estates.
He argues that these specific expenses are not in line with the projected revenues, citing a relevant tender announcement for olive trees where the EEPKA expects—as he states—revenues of less than €2,000 per year.

2. Licensing issues

The complainant alleges that the clearing has been carried out without legal permits or approved plans.
It states that an audit of the Forestry Service's records and data shows that no requests were submitted and no approvals were issued.

3. Absence of technical files

It states that EEPKA has not submitted complete technical files for the interventions.
He cites aerial photographs and posts on Diafgeia to support his claim that «the land has been modified without documented legality.».

4. Indications of “fictitious invoices”

Mr. Syrmalis states that the above inaccuracies raise «reasonable suspicions» about the possible existence of invoices that do not correspond to the actual work performed.
He asks the court to check all the documents.

5. Inadequate accountability – lack of information

He claims that the Commission has not responded to his questions or public interventions regarding the legality of the projects. He refers to a «disparaging attitude» and a «lack of social control.».

6. Fragmentation of contracts
Mr. Syrmalis claims that he has identified divisions of projects (submission, materials, paving), which—if true—would violate public procurement law.

7. Expenses for incense and materials for Myrtidia
The report includes two purchase orders for incense totaling approximately €34,687, which, according to the complainant, raise questions as to their appropriateness/necessity.

The report is currently under preliminary review.

We inform – Justice judges»

Respecting the fact that the case is already in the institutional process following the filing of Mr. Syrmalis's complaint, Kythera.News will continue to monitor developments with purely journalistic interest and unwavering commitment to transparency. Kythera.News acts institutionally on the basis of public interest and the obligation to monitor local government, without the intention of stigmatizing individuals or creating impressions.

The competent authorities are those that will evaluate the evidence and assign responsibility where and if it arises.

More updates on developments coming soon.