Corruption

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. 

The investigation of the Hellenic Police into an assault case in early June in Maroussi, northern Athens, uncovered a corruption ring within the Hellenic Public Properties Co (HPPC), which manages and develops private real estate assets of the Greek state.

The victim of the hammer attack on the morning of June 3 was a 47-year-old man who works as a short-term leasing manager at HPPC.

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.

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.

That things were not going well was already blatantly obvious - only the distortive lens of arrogance could make people who didn't want to face up to the truth think otherwise.