Gov't spokeswoman testifies in MPs' bribery allegations case

Government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi testified to prosecutor Panagiotis Panagiotopoulos handling the investigation of allegations that Greek MPs had been bribed to sway their vote in the upcoming presidential election.

According to sources, Voultepsi was summoned in relation to the prime minister’s alleged statement – who reportedly said that the 180 deputies required for the election of the Greek President are given or will be found one way or another. This statement, according to sources, was cited by some witnesses in their depositions. Voultepsi reportedly said that there was no official statement of this kind.

“Those who poison the country’s political life with unfounded allegations and no evidence offer moral legitimacy to those who fight against democracy and parliamentarianism,” Voultepsi said after the conclusion of her testimony.

Asked why those allegations were made, she said: “This whole thing is purely for petty-political reasons.”

Ship owner Andreas Martinos will testify later in the day, while businessman Socratis Kokkalis has been summoned to appear before the prosecutor in the coming days. Both businessmen have been summoned as the allegations on MPs’ bribery were reportedly made during their children’s wedding reception.