In an extremely toxic environment, the political debate over the Tempi case, with Socrates Famellos appearing today at the plenary session of the Parliament and dropping hints of government involvement in the death of the son of the investigator probing the train crash and Makis Voridis to react strongly, accusing the opposition of “vile and despicable rhetoric.”

“I wonder how much longer these things, the insinuations and alleged insinuations can be tolerated. Listen we have a sad incident with the loss of a man and we extend our deepest condolences to his family. And here comes Mr. Famellos here and drops hints against the government. There’s our colleague Ms Christidou who says: “accident or a message to justice?” What are you insinuating, Mr. Fammellos, as if you are the vilest of the vilest trolls on the internet? Is there a limit to your downward spiral? You have poisoned society with unfounded theories,” Mr. Voridis initially said, only to be interrupted at that point by Mr. Alexandros Kazamis from the podium and the following dialogue ensued:

Voridis: I am arguing with your wretchedness and vulgarity and I am telling you that it is not tolerated. You have crossed every line. Are you going to come here and say that the government murdered an innocent man and we are going to sit here sober and listen to you? Listen to you say that the Prime Minister and the government ordered the murder of an innocent man and when we tell you that you are vulgar mud-slingers you will scold us from above? We also hear Syriza talk about the rule of law and that they respect the judiciary but only when its decisions suit you. It is SYRIZA that is talking about the Novartis plot. Who accused 10 political opponents so that all 10 could be exonerated. We are being told by those who have 2 accused ministers. Today they have to put up with them telling us that we are also organising murders for a death that is unexpected and tragic and they have no patience to wait for the forensic report. Such is your rabid disrepute and that is where you are leading the political debate.

Watch Mr. Voridis’ outburst:

Famellos: Questions

Earlier, Famelos was quick to link the death of Vasilis Kalogiros to the investigations being conducted by his mother’s investigator in the Tempi case.

“Society is shocked and demands answers for the death of the son of the investigator of Tempi. Questions are mounting. We ought to convey them. Questions that also arise from the victim’s mother’s post. Why is she referring to those responsible for her son’s death? What correlation can there be with the investigation into the allegations of relatives and advocates? We are only asking questions. Questions that demand answers. We are very seriously, institutionally and publicly, submitting questions and proposals for justice to be done. These questions must be answered by the justice system,” he said, adding immediately afterwards “we as SYRIZA have denounced the leadership of Justice. We have not minced our words. The Judiciary functions as an arm of the government and we question these choices because Mr Mitsotakis is interfering with the Judiciary and shaking its credibility.”