Vangelis Marinakis’ strong response: "I will not yield to government pressure"

In the wake of the decision to prosecute 140 individuals in the "Renti Crime Organization" case, Vangelis Marinakis, the President of Olympiakos Football Club and a prominent businessman, issued a strong written statement in which he sharply criticized the government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Marinakis accused the government of using the judicial system to silence him, declaring, "I will never give up."

"They are trying to hold me hostage!"

In his statement, Marinakis accused the government of trying to pressure him through judicial means, stating:

"The Prime Minister and the media under his control are using the justice system to silence me. But this is a futile effort. There have been similar attacks before, but they all failed. The truth will come out again!"

"I’m not the only target, press freedom is too!"

The well-known businessman and club president argued that the government’s true target was independent media and press freedom. He claimed that his media company, Alter Ego Media, had been under pressure due to its independent editorial policies, stating:

"By targeting me and Olympiakos, they are actually attacking free press, independent journalism, and democracy. But we will not remain silent! We will never allow the suppression of the free press."

"Greece is at the bottom of press freedom rankings"

Marinakis reminded that international organizations had recognized the government's pressure on the press, noting that Greece ranked at the bottom among EU countries in terms of press freedom:

"Our country is at the bottom of the list in Europe regarding press freedom. This situation is the clearest proof of how the government tries to silence the press."

"Democracy and the truth will prevail!"

In the conclusion of his statement, Marinakis emphasized that he would not yield to government pressure and that the truth would emerge in the legal process:

"I will not yield to threats, nor will I take a step back. The truth will come out, and democracy will win. As always, this time we will prevail!"

Full Statement of Vangelis Marinakis:

"The Prime Minister, in a panic, is trying to hold me hostage and pressure me along with media outlets that are scandalously dependent on him. By using the judiciary as a weapon, they want to silence me.

This is an attack on press freedom and independent journalism. By targeting Olympiakos and me, their real goal is to increase control over the media and silence dissenting voices.

In the past, political and economic interests ran smear campaigns against me. But all these attempts failed. Today, they are using the same tactics, but they will fail again.

This government has dragged our country to the bottom of the press freedom rankings in Europe. It has trampled on the independence of the judiciary. The public can now clearly see how the government manipulates justice.

My message is clear: I am not afraid, I will not yield to threats, I will not negotiate, and I will not back down. The truth will come out, and democracy will prevail. As always, in the end, we will win!"