Venizelos warns of “systematic” Rule of Law violations in Greece after wiretapping verdict
Speaking to reporters after four defendants were found guilty by the Athens Single-Member Misdemeanor Court, Venizelos said that “open institutional wounds cannot simply close because the government and parliamentary majority wish them to.”
“Predator” Spyware Case Signals Institutional Responsibility
Venizelos pointed specifically to the illegal surveillance case involving the “Predator” spyware, arguing that the conviction demonstrates that even a first-instance court can assert institutional will.
He emphasized that the evidence presented in court suggests not isolated wrongdoing, but potential institutional responsibility, raising serious concerns about how the state has handled a case that strikes at the core of democratic governance and judicial independence.
“The way the state manages such cases leaves clear indications regarding respect for the rule of law,” Venizelos said, underscoring the constitutional implications of the affair.
ABTTF: Political Interference Undermines Justice
In a written statement, European Western Thrace Turkish Federation (ABTTF) President Halit Habipoglu described Venizelos’ remarks as confirmation of longstanding concerns.
“As a professor of constitutional law, Mr. Venizelos’ statements about systematic and institutional violations of the rule of law amount to stating the obvious,” Habipoğlu said.
He argued that alleged attempts by the government to influence the judiciary in the wiretapping scandal constitute a direct blow to judicial independence and illustrate the politicization of justice in recent years.
ECHR Rulings on Western Thrace Associations
Habipoğlu also referenced Greece’s failure to implement European Court of Human Rights rulings concerning associations in Western Thrace.
He criticized the country for not enforcing judgments for 18 years, despite repeated warnings from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, claiming this reflects a broader regression in rule of law standards and disregard for international legal obligations.
Ongoing Political and Legal Fallout
The wiretapping scandal, which has dominated Greek political debate for years, continues to generate legal and constitutional scrutiny. Observers note that the latest convictions could intensify domestic and international pressure regarding transparency, accountability, and democratic safeguards in Greece.
The government has not yet issued a detailed response to Venizelos’ latest remarks.
