His absence in Special Court former Minister of State chose Nikos Pappas during a hearing on how he was bidding for a television license, stating that he would be represented by his lawyers.

The former minister, the main person involved in the case, argued in a written statement that his choice not to attend the trial was dictated by his position that the trial was political and therefore his position should be political.

Nikos Pappas has been charged with a breach of duty (misdemeanor) in relation to the organization and conduct of a tender for television licenses and especially the selection of a businessman to participate in the tender. Christos Kalogritsaswithout money and conditions, with one goal: for the then authorities to provide themselves with a channel of their own influence.

The former minister is on trial along with businessman Christos Kalogritsa, who also made claims against him, that is, he participated in the tender on the orders of the Pope, and the security money was given by a well-known business group, again on the orders of the Pope.

The former minister appeared in court on charges of dereliction of duty in connection with a television license case.

Christos Kalogritsas, represented in court by former minister and current PASOK-KINAL MP Andreas Loverdos and Angelos Karachalios, has indicated through his lawyers that he will be present at the trial, while Andreas Loverdos, who was absent yesterday, asked to continue the trial. which was adopted on the following Tuesday, 22 November.

Written statement

Before the start of the trial – this is the second Special Court that will take place in parallel with the trial of the former Minister Dimitris Papagelopoulos – Nikos Pappas’s lawyers (Janis Mantsuranis, Theodoros Mantas and Vangelis Georgakopoulos) gave a written statement about the former minister, where, among others, they try to justify their decision not to attend court.

“With the trial that begins today, Mr. Mitsotakis is viciously insulting justice and the political system on his own initiative and under his own responsibility. The main person responsible for the institutional collapse of our country uses Justice as a tool. While respecting her independence in any way, I will not promote this instrumentalization. My persecution is political. Therefore, my position can only be political.”

The President of the Special Court, Joanna Klapa, who will also preside over the trial, said the court intended to “trial” the case. Ms. Klapa, a competent and experienced Chief Justice, has linked her name to the Golden Dawn criminal investigation and other major cases.