The ethics committee unanimously recommends lifting the immunity of the 11 New Democracy MPs named in the OPEKEPE case file, following the written submissions received from nine of them and the in-person explanations provided by Kostas Tsiaras and Notis Mitarakis.

It is noted that all 11 MPs had requested the lifting of their immunity in order to provide explanations wherever necessary.

They are:
Kostas Tsiaras,
Notis Mitarakis,
Dimitris Vartzopoulos,
Christos Boukoros,
Lakis Vasileiadis,
Kostas Ach. Karamanlis,
Theofilos Leontaridis,
Maximos Senetakis,
Giannis Kefalogiannis,
Kostas Skrekas, and
Katerina Papakosta.

What the MPs stated in their memoranda:

Kostas Ach. Karamanlis requested the lifting of his immunity stating, “I am innocent and wish to prove my innocence wherever required.” He noted that no conversations involving him or his associates are recorded and described the accusations as entirely unfounded.

Giannis Kefalogiannis stated that although he requests the lifting of his immunity, the request lacks any legal or factual basis, as it is not supported by evidence linking him to the case. He added that his alleged involvement stems from two phone calls in which he did not participate.

Kostas Skrekas requested the lifting of his immunity “to safeguard institutional integrity and the political credibility of the party and to prove my personal innocence,” emphasizing that there was no intention to violate the law.

Katerina Papakosta stated that the request she handled appeared lawful and reasonable, believing it concerned a routine verification of data already properly declared.

Dimitris Vartzopoulos said his message simply posed a question that does not conflict with a member of parliament’s duties and does not involve any illegal act harming public finances.

Maximos Senetakis denied any wrongdoing, stating that all his actions were within the framework of parliamentary duties.

Lakis Vasileiadis noted that his name appears only indirectly through third-party conversations, without any personal contact with those involved.

Theofilos Leontaridis said the discussions concerned only the timing of payments of lawful entitlements.

Christos Boukoros stated that his communication with the head of OPEKEPE concerned a fair and lawful request from struggling young livestock farmers.

What Kostas Tsiaras told the committee:

Kostas Tsiaras denied any knowledge of the OPEKEPE cases attributed to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Greece and described the conclusions assigning him criminal responsibility as a “logical leap.”

He stressed that delays and errors in public services often push citizens to seek help from MPs. Regarding his case, he argued that the alleged financial damage cited is inaccurate and that subsidy structures are more complex than presented.

He added that while losing his ministerial position does not trouble him, the impact on his family does.

He requested the lifting of his immunity to fully clarify the case and expressed confidence that no substantial evidence exists against him.

Mitarakis statement:

Notis Mitarakis stated that he, his office, and his staff acted fully within constitutional and political duties by forwarding citizens’ requests.

He emphasized that an MP must support citizens within the bounds of legality and requested the lifting of his immunity to respond promptly to the European prosecutor’s questions and clear his name.

Political reaction:

Panagiotis Doudonis criticized the fact that only two of the eleven MPs appeared before the committee, adding that the case reflects broader political responsibility tied to the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.