In a significant development in the Novartis bribery scandal in Greece, key witnesses known as “Ekaterini Kelesi” and “Maximos Sarafis” have lost their protected status, paving the way for implicated politicians to take legal action against them. The case, which began in 2017, alleged that several Greek politicians accepted bribes from the Swiss pharmaceutical giant in exchange for favors.
Although initially, 10 political figures were accused, charges against prominent figures like former prime minister Antonis Samaras were dropped due to insufficient evidence. The scandal, however, has left a lasting impact on Greece’s political landscape.
Recent allegations raised in Parliament and Justice Ministry reforms led to the decision to lift the witnesses’ protective status, sparking mixed reactions. While politicians expressed satisfaction, critics fear the move may discourage future whistleblowers from coming forward in corruption cases.
The Novartis scandal, involving widespread corruption across multiple countries, remains a complex legal saga in Greece.