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Government is discussing merciless punishment for corrupted politicians

28 May 2010 / 12:05:45  GRReporter
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The confession of the former Transport Minister Tassos Mandelis that he had received as he defines it an "election" donation from Siemens for the amount of 450,000 euro, shook the Greek government and the parliament which decided to take action. The rumor that Mr. Mandelis is preparing to return to Azerbaijan, led the prosecutors of the Supreme Court to issue an order to ban his travels abroad. Former minister lives in Azerbaijan in the past few years, where he advises the local Government on how to simplify bureaucracy and decentralize the public services. However he is now facing criminal charges of money laundering or in other words for the legalization of incomes from criminal activities.

According to the lawyers the prosecution of former Minister for burdens has not been removed, as 20 years have to pass from the execution of the criminal deed as it is for ordinary citizens, because for Mr. Mandelis art. 86 of the Constitution for criminal liability of members of the government is no longer applicable. Mr. Mandelis remained in the capital yesterday and said he was available for justice for testimony. In tears, he gave his approval to open his bank accounts. Kostas Simitis - Prime Minister during the period when Mandelis received bribes from Siemens, said he was frustrated by the cases of corruption, which are disclosed at the time and concern the period between 1996-2004, the

Among the political whirlwind caused by the confession it was obvious that the parties are determined to face head-on with every case of corruption and to punish the perpetrators. Government is preparing to issue a decision according to which the punishment for members of political parties, for whom it has been proven that with their actions and omissions they have harmed the state will be binding of property, fines but also imprisonment. A proposal is already being discussed by the governing party, but also by the opposition for the seeking of  civil liability, rather than only criminal or political for politicians involved in scandals.

Government consider all the legal sides of the issue so that their decision does not leave any loopholes for those politicians who have violated the law in the sense of write off their crimes because of past barred. Justice Minister Haris Kastanidis said that civil liability for policymakers is already logged in the property law. Civil liability will be sought from those involved in the "Vatopedi" case with the monastic estate, in the case of the bonds, but also with the bribery of politicians by Siemens. The state will begin in court to seek compensation from former ministers. Initially it will need to assess the damages which it has suffered in court and to seek compensation for millions of euro from all the politicians, which have robbed it. In the cases when they can not pay their real estate will be bound and their bank accounts will be frozen. Currently the Minister of Finance expects a formal decision to proceed to action. There will be no mercy in cases of corruption, stressed the government.

Tags: News Politics Corruption Outrage Siemens Vatoped
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