Abuse of the legal system

The institution of protected witnesses works everywhere in the democratic world as a tool to clear up cases of corruption and organized crime. In Greece, it was used by the previous government as a weapon of slander against its opponents, leading to its degeneration. 

Nothing can really be regarded as "news" when it comes to corruption. Corruption is so ubiquitous, that nothing comes as a surprise anymore, nothing shocks us. From scrap metal thieves to sundry suspect circles lining their pockets with European Union funding, the list has now grown with the addition of a racket operating inside the Catholic Church of Greece.

No part of the public sector can be impervious to corruption. What is always required, however, is to have strict rules and channels through which citizens can report any abuse of power or illegalities committed by its employees.

It seems that progress has been made in this field, as the crime rings that abuse their power are exposed and brought to justice.

In the United States, Bulgaria is viewed as a risky investment destination due to its connections with Russian oligarchs and China, along with concerns over transparency that could lead American investors into costly mistakes, reports ClubZ.

A staggering nine out of 10 Greeks believe there is extensive corruption in the country's National Health System (ESY), according to the special Eurobarometer that surveyed citizens from February 7 to March 3 regarding corruption in the European Union.

A total of 1,002 Greek citizens and 26,411 people from the countries of the European Union participated.

The trial of an employee at the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) accused of bribery has been deferred to November 14 after appearing in an Athens court on Saturday. 

The 49-year-old EFKA employee is accused of pressuring a 56-year-old woman to pay 4,000 euros in order to secure a disability allowance for her mother. 

A recent report by the European Commission about the rule of law in Greece "misleads readers" by "glossing over critical issues," 14 human rights and media freedom organizations said on Thursday.

The European Commission's report on the rule of law in Bulgaria for the past year highlights a lack of progress in securing effective investigations and a sufficient number of final convictions for high-level corruption. It also points out the need for reforms in the anti-corruption commission.

Political turmoil and reactions have erupted after “Proto Thema” revealed that protected witnesses in the Novartis case shared €56 million. Given the witnesses’ personal gain, as disclosed by the article, it is now necessary to lift their protected status and remove their anonymity. The critical question remains: who prompted them to make the allegations that fueled the Novartis conspiracy?

The unfolding revelations regarding mafia activities in municipalities, urban planning offices, and other services should seriously concern us. Under no circumstances should we become accustomed to this or consider it routine.