Summoned to testify as a defendant in the Novartis case (!) The former head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office also received, Eleni Touloupaki following the persecution of journalists Kostas Vaxevanis and Yianna Papadakou. This is yet another prosecution aimed at establishing a Special Court so that the global Novartis scandal can be addressed in our country—a first of its kind worldwide that this is a «set-up.».
Eleni Touloupaki, in a strongly worded statement issued in response to her summons to appear in court as a defendant, points out that for the past three years, there has been a systematic effort to turn the massive international scandal into the «Novartis conspiracy.».
The former head of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office speaks about pressure and attacks aimed at preventing the investigation from moving forward, a violation of every principle of the rule of law and the separation of powers, and points out that he did not yield to pressure, that he brought to light the Novartis scandal, which cost our country so dearly, in Europe, and to thousands of people who were deprived of their right to access healthcare. And he concludes with the phrase «I'm not afraid of anything.».
The full text of the statement made by Eleni Touloupaki
«Over the past three years, Greek society has been witnessing a systematic effort to turn a massive international scandal into what has been dubbed the «Novartis conspiracy.» From the very moment the case reached the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, we have been subjected to extreme slanderous attacks and pressure of every kind, in an attempt to obstruct our work and ultimately turn us into the accused ourselves, as alleged members of a criminal organization.
As part of this coordinated and organized effort against us, every notion of the rule of law and the separation of powers was trampled upon, including, among other things, blatant interventions by top-level politicians who predetermined the outcome from the very start of the investigation into the case and which, unfortunately, judicial developments appear to simply confirm them.
In response to this institutional deviation and decline, my fellow prosecutors and I remained unwaveringly loyal to the Constitution and carried out our duty with integrity and conscientiousness, dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the administration of justice, as was our duty. Our accusers know better than anyone that we are being prosecuted precisely for this reason.
Today, the Greek justice system has summoned me to defend myself as a defendant. For me, therefore, this summons to defend myself is a mark of honor. A mark of recognition that I acted in the public interest and in pursuit of the truth, that I did not yield to pressure, that I, too, brought to light for my country the scandal that has cost our country, Europe, and thousands of people—who were deprived of their right to access healthcare—so dearly.I am convinced that justice will prevail; after all, honesty and integrity are intrinsic qualities—they are not defined by others.
As a true child of my beloved homeland, Crete, «I fear nothing»; I place my hope in God, and that is why I am free. It is enough for me that I have fulfilled my duty to the fullest. This certainty and serenity will be the ultimate goal for the true conspirators who are already facing their historic condemnation. In contrast, my only response and unwavering stance is my commitment to continue serving truth and justice with determination, truly «to the very end.».
