«I will pursue the conspirators and slanderers to the very end, because the truth is stronger. Light will conquer darkness,» said Minister of Citizen Protection Takis Theodorikakos, speaking this morning on the ANT1 program ANT1«s »Good Morning Greece,‘ regarding the complaint filed by the top officer of the “Immediate Action” unit, who was discharged during the recent crises, regarding pressure he received from the former Chief of the Hellenic Police and current Secretary General of Public Order, Michalis Karamalakis, a year and a half ago, to cover up a case involving the minister’s son.
Mr. Theodorikakos announced that he will file a complaint with the Prosecutor of the Supreme Court «against the retired officer for his deplorable, unacceptable, and despicable slander,» and his son will also take legal action.
Regarding the case, the minister said that 1.5 years ago, a routine check was conducted on his son and three other children, during which nothing improper was found, and he attributed the retired officer’s actions to the internal strife within the police force, as a result of which both he and the head of the Internal Affairs Service, who had taken over the investigation, were removed from their posts.
«Miraculously, whenever these reviews take place and we determine that a particular officer should be discharged from the Greek Police, that’s when the complaints come in. The head of another department—who is being dismissed that very night—shows up half an hour before his own dismissal to file a report with the department of the other officer who was being dismissed that night…»
The minister said that when he learned of the complaint regarding his son’s case, he issued a written order for an investigation, which was conducted by the Deputy Chief of Police, and that the findings will be made available to the judicial authorities. The investigation revealed that none of the police officers involved in the random check conducted a year and a half ago reported that anything was found or that any interference took place. He even raised the question of how and why the complainant proceeded to file the complaints as soon as he learned that he was being discharged.
«You know what? My son is upset about one thing. Because the only ‘crime» he’s committed is that he’s my son. Nothing else. There’s no way my son would have drugs. I even heard one of your unacceptable colleagues talking about cocaine. Shameful and disgraceful… It’s a disgrace.”.
In response to the observation, however, that the opposition has not addressed the issue of his son, Mr. Theodorikakos said:
«I’m not referring to the official SYRIZA on this issue—I want to be clear. We have major ideological and political differences with SYRIZA, I want to talk about the recent decisions and actions of its president, and there has been no discussion regarding how we are proceeding toward the elections on this specific issue.’.
Mr. Theodorikakos directly linked the purge within the Hellenic Police to the crises. «We took bold steps with the prime minister’s support,» the minister said, adding: «I promise you something. I pledge my life’s work and my faith in the cause I serve: we will not stop. The purge will go all the way to the end. Transparency will prevail, so that citizens can have confidence in the Greek Police as a whole.».
Specifically regarding the head of the Internal Affairs Service, the minister noted: «For many, many months, the man who was the director—appointed by the previous SYRIZA government and who has remained in his position throughout this entire period, including under New Democracy— has not kept me informed, and in particular has not kept me informed about matters concerning possible ties—because I, too, must be absolutely clear on this— things have to be proven—involving officials or police officers and various criminals.».
Regarding the conversations between Hellenic Police officials and members of the underworld—particularly concerning fuel smuggling—the minister assured that the investigation would be completed and «those who have breached their oath will be held accountable,» emphasizing that he trusts the vast majority of police officers and that combating organized crime requires officers with integrity.
«I asked the highly capable individual who has our complete trust —and I believe this man will do a great job at the Ministry of the Interior—the new Commissioner, Mr. Poupouzas, to make these complaints his first priority (regarding the conversations that have come to light).
We need to verify the sources and determine how these conversations took place. Where did they actually come from? Are they genuine? That is why the Internal Affairs Service, the judiciary, and the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office have taken up the matter so that we can all receive the findings, learn the truth, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,’ the Minister noted.
Finally, referring to Mr. Tsipras’s decision yesterday to abstain from parliamentary proceedings, Mr. Theodorikakos described it as a «political flash in the pan.» He added that the country needs a stable government, as society is not in a state of division but desires growth and stability.
