The reaction of the head of the Authority for Ensuring the Secrecy of Communications (ADAE), Christ Rammosas well as opposition parties, was caused by the conclusion of the prosecutor of the Supreme Court Isidoros Dogiakos for the case monitoring.

What does Doyaku’s opinion say?

Supreme Court Prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos said in a statement that ADAE (Office for the Protection of Communications Privacy) does not have the authority under applicable law to consider requests from citizens who ask to be told whether their phones have been tapped for reasons of national security, and also cannot be addressed to telephone operators for this.

Mr. Dogiakos believes that ADAE no longer has the power to manage citizens’ requests for information in order to control them for national security reasons, since, as he emphasizes, this competence now belongs to a three-member body, which consists of two prosecutors and the president of ADAE. detailing what the recent law (5002 of 2022) provides for.

“The notification of a citizen, the prosecutor’s conclusion says, that a specific measure has been taken against him to remove confidentiality for reasons of national security is now solely the responsibility of the Tripartite Body in accordance with Article 4, para. No. 5002 of 2022 under the chairmanship of the prosecutor. No other body is authorized for this, and the Law does not provide for this, the information process is another way. ADAE no longer has the right to check suppliers in order to respond to an affected person. The dominant role is played by the Tripartite body, chaired by the prosecutor and whose member is the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission,” he notes, among other things.

Rammos: No government agency can exercise control or oversight in ADAE

ADAE President Christos Rammos issued a statement in the opinion of Supreme Court Prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos. As the president of ADAE noted, “no government agency can exercise any form of preventive control or prudential oversight of this agency.”

He further emphasized that “the controversial opinion of Mr. Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, apart from the fact that legally it does not give rise to any obligations at all (as it is known, only jurisdictional decisions of the courts give rise to an obligation in the Greek legal order), this grossly violates the constitutional the independence of ADAE, which until today has always been respected.”

Tsipras to the Prosecutor of the Supreme Court: I’m waiting for you to arrest me

In a Facebook post, SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras stated that “Mr. Dogiakos’ opinion is a flagrant violation of the Constitution.” “No law and no opinion can annul the Constitution and the mission of the National Anti-Corruption Commission defined in it to control and ensure the confidentiality of messages. Worst of all, however, Mr. Prosecutor not only holds the opinion, but also tries to intimidate the officials of the Independent Authority by threatening imprisonment to those who dare to do their duty and resist the wanted sabotage. truth,” said Mr. Tsipras, adding:

“These threats have been known and formulated by criminals and those who fear the disclosure of their lawlessness for several months. However, since Mr. Prosecutor repeats them, even pointing out that no one except the victim has the right to seek evidence, it is obvious that these threats concern not only the ADAE leaders, but also me personally. Because, as you know, since December 7, 2022, I have filed a request with the Anti-Corruption Commission in order to find evidence regarding the cancellation of the privacy of certain individuals who play a decisive role in public life. If this action, in the opinion of the prosecutor of the Supreme Court, will be prosecuted, I declare to him that I waive my parliamentary immunity and urge him to initiate a criminal case against me.”

“Mr. Prosecutor, 1st Eleftheria Square, this is my office. I’m waiting for you to arrest me. But let it be known to you and to those who are on strike for these unprecedented and blatantly unconstitutional acts, whatever you do, you will not prevent the truth from shining and you will not succeed in silencing democracy. It has deep roots in this place,” Mr. Tsipras concluded in his post.

PASOK: Opinion hinders ADAE investigation

“With today’s opinion, the prosecutor of the Supreme Court impedes the investigation of the Anti-Corruption Commission, which, as an independent constitutional body, should work without interruption,” commented PASOK – Movement for Change.

As the party press office commented, “First of all, it reveals the true purpose of the recent government legislation as legislative intervention not in favor of revealing the truth and strengthening institutions, as advertised, but in favor of hushing up the surveillance scandal and the former ex post “legitimization” of state arbitrariness.” PASOK-KINAL holds the New Democracy government “greatly responsible for hitting institutions and the rule of law, proving every day what a fine imitator it has been of the SYRIZA-ANEL government,” it highlights.

A postscript to the commentary states that “As reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the Greek diplomatic authorities in Bangladesh were officially informed of the ‘study’ tour of high-ranking officials of the Asian country on the Predator surveillance systems in Athens. PASOK-KINAL emphasizes that “we didn’t mean to spoil the festive atmosphere with the inauguration of New Democracy Deputy CEO Yannis Smirlis, who, as ca. in the State Department, allegedly opened the door for Predator exports to illiberal regimes in Africa and demands to know whether the administrative affidavit has been completed.

KKE: Imprisonment strengthens ‘dark’ institutional framework for surveillance

“Dogyakov’s opinion not only puts into practice, but also further strengthens the recent reactionary ND law. and the overall “dark” institutional framework for monitoring, of which, of course, ADAE is a part. After all, the KKE has a very bitter experience in covering up wiretapping cases against it,” the KKE noted in its commentary and stressed:

“The role of the so-called ‘independent’ judiciary, whose leadership is determined by the respective government, as well as the so-called ‘independent’ authorities, who are part of the problem, like the fig leaf of the institutional swamp they have created, is solemnly opened to all governments.”

Economou shots against Tsipras

They shot at him Alexis Tsipras – blurted out a government spokesman Yannis Oikonomouin connection with the statement of the leader of the official opposition regarding the conclusion of the prosecutor of the Supreme Court Isidoros Dogiakos.

“Mr Tsipras and SYRIZA are accustomed to honoring Justice only when its decisions are in line with their aspirations. On the contrary, the Government firmly respects and honors Justice and Democracy: without selfish conditions, footnotes and asterisks. We firmly adhere to the rules and institutions of the Republic, Mr. Tsipras continues to relentlessly seek identity in toxicity,” Mr. Economou noted in his post and added: “PS: We expect from Mr. Tsipras, the former Prime Minister. to understand that such theatricality is more suitable for someone like Mr. Varoufakis. After all, it looks like the two of them still have a lot in common.”

Tsapanidos’ response to Oikonom

SYRIZA spokesman Popi Tsapanidou responded to the government spokesman’s statements. “We refer Mr. Oikonoma to the statement of AIAEA chief Mr. Rammos and a number of legal scholars and constitutional experts who speak of a blatant violation of the AIAEA’s constitutionally guaranteed independence,” Ms. Tsapanidou noted, and continued:

“Indeed, we wonder how he can attack the leader of the opposition and call for respect for institutions, Justice and Democracy, when the government he represents has violated the articles of the Constitution, attacks institutions directly and illegally controls opponent politicians, ministers, journalists. and military leaders. “When in fact Mr. Oikonomou himself is the victim of surveillance by Mr. Mitsotakis’ parastatal apparatus,” Ms. Tsapanidou concluded.