Justice Minister leaps to government’s defence over Matsakis allegations
JUSTICE Minister Doros Theodorou yesterday rubbished allegations that the government had attempted to cover up a blackmail scandal involving DIKO MEP Marios Matsakis.
The government and particularly President Tassos Papadopoulos, have been under heavy fire since Tuesday, when Attorney-general Solon Nikitas’ ruled there was enough evidence justifying a request to lift Matsakis’ parliamentary immunity.
Matsakis allegedly sought £10,000 to help acquit a police officer implicated in a manslaughter case.
Yesterday, Theodorou defended the government’s handling of the case and described the accusations as “vile”.
“To try and exploit such issues and blame the government – especially where there are no grounds – is not the best way to criticise these matters,” Theodorou said.
Concerning the opposition’s comments, Theodorou said not only were they “out of place and out of time but they belong to a different level: that of vileness”.
On Wednesday DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades went on the offensive and effectively accused the President of covering up the scandal in the build-up to the Euro elections. It was revealed some weeks ago that Papadopoulos had been aware of the allegations levelled at Matsakis since April 23.
Theodorou pointed out that the Attorney-general was in charge of any investigation and not the government and it was he who decided on any prosecution.
“The government did not get involved, nor did they attempt to in any kind of way,” he added.
Theodorou said the police acted on the instructions of the Attorney-general and proof that there had been no intention to cover up or delay the matter was the “record time” the police prepared a second case file, which led to Nikitas’ decision to request the lifting of Matsakis’ immunity.
The minister then took a shot at Politis, which uncovered the case. “The revelation possibly deprived the police of other ways of action”.
The widespread feeling among the public is that nothing would have been done if Politis had not published the story.
On April 30, in a reply letter to the police, Nikitas said the evidence was not sufficient to justify a request to lift Matsakis’ immunity.
It was only on June 24 – after the newspaper broke the story – that Nikitas gave the green light to police to investigate – without, however, questioning Matsakis.
One week later the police delivered their findings and Nikitas ruled the evidence was sufficient this time.
No one has explained what happened between April 30 and June, with the government trying to blame the delays on bureaucratic processes.
Theodorou said the government performed its duty in accordance with the constitution and the laws, but the opposition is disputing Papadopoulos’ motives to allow Matsakis to stand as candidate and win a seat in the European Parliament, when he knew about the allegations.
Commenting on the reactions, government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides claimed there was a continuous effort to undermine the President, reiterating that Papadopoulos had instructed for the law to take its course from the first minute he heard about the case.
