Journalist Giorgos Kakousis published a post regarding the case centered on the president of the GSEE, Giannis Panagopoulos, in which his name has been implicated, stating that he is suspending his journalistic activity for as long as the investigation is ongoing.

He says that two days ago he was informed that his bank accounts were frozen—except for his salary account—following an order by the Authority for Combating Money Laundering.

This concerns the case being examined by the Anti–Money Laundering Authority, in which Panagopoulos, along with six other companies and individuals from the publishing and communications sector, are allegedly involved in a case of embezzlement of funds and financing from the Greek State and the European Union, totaling more than €73 million, which were intended for seven educational and training programs.

In his post, Giorgos Kakousis states:
“Two days ago I was informed that my bank accounts were frozen, except for my salary account, by order of the President of the Authority for Combating Money Laundering. Up to this moment, I have not been informed of the content of the order, nor was I given the opportunity to provide explanations.”

As he notes, he was informed by colleagues that the order presents him as a suspect in the commission of criminal offenses, in connection with the collaboration he maintains with INE GSEE. “I learned from colleagues that the order presents me as a suspect in the commission of criminal offenses in connection with the collaboration I maintain,” he states characteristically.

The journalist maintains that his transactions are fully lawful and transparent, clarifying that they are linked to a specific communications project. “From the outset, I would like to clarify that all my transactions, from beginning to end and without exception, have a lawful basis, are absolutely transparent and verifiable. They are directly connected to the provision of a specific project, which relates exclusively to Communication Services and not to any Educational or other similar project,” he notes in his post.

At the same time, he states that this development will lead him to temporarily step away from his journalistic duties: “It is obvious that this personal ordeal will suspend my journalistic activity for as long as is required for the clarification of the case.”

In closing, Giorgos Kakousis refers to his professional career, emphasizing that he has never been associated with illegal practices: “In the 32 years of my journalistic career, no one has ever associated me with illegal aims or practices. In our field, we all know each other—and now that we will be reintroduced, no one will be disappointed.”