A request to the preliminary investigation committee to be referred directly to the judicial council was submitted by former Deputy Minister Christos Triandaopoulos so that he says he can be judged directly by the natural judge.

As government sources commented, “The decision of Mr. Christos Triandopoulos to submit a request to the Pre-Investigation Committee in order to be judged directly by the natural judge, is in line with the demand of society and relatives of the victims of the tragedy of Tempi for justice to be done by the judiciary.

The same sources noted that this move by the former deputy minister, was a sign of political bravery and decency, so that there is not the slightest shadow of an alleged parliamentary “cover-up” and that the judiciary sheds light on the tragedy, creates new facts regarding the investigation of the tragedy.
“For the first time, a former minister under scrutiny for a case concerning the performance of his duties is asking for a direct judgment from the natural judge, considering that any conclusion issued by the Pre-Investigation Commission could be subject to intense controversy and challenge because of the party affiliation of its members.

It should be noted that during the recent discussion of the motion of no-confidence in the Parliament, the Prime Minister had stated that in the context of the Constitutional Review, he intends to propose a change to Article 86 on the responsibility of ministers, calling on the parties to agree, when in fact they had previously expressed similar positions.
The request of Mr Triandaopoulos, who, as he says in his letter, has absolute faith in his innocence and blind trust in the judiciary, will be examined and judged by the Pre-Investigation Committee, which is the only sovereign body to make the relevant decision.

If the request of the former Deputy Minister is approved, then the case will be referred to the five-member Judicial Council of the Special Court, which is composed of senior judges and who will appoint an Arreopagist member to carry out the investigative work, so that based on its findings, the Council will reach a verdict on whether or not to refer the former Deputy Minister to the Special Court.

The opposition parties, who have so far maintained that the government accepted the establishment of the Pre-Investigation Committee because it has a parliamentary majority, implying that there is a desire for a “cover-up”, must take a clear position against Triandopoulos’ request to address the natural judge.”
The government sources conclude by stating that ” the emeritus professor of Constitutional Law Nikos Alivisatos had made a similar proposal and it remains to be seen how PASOK, which had proposed the establishment of the Pre-Investigation Committee, will position itself.
After the move by Mr. Triandopoulos to ask to be judged by Justice, the arguments about the alleged party “shield” collapse, it is time for the opposition to take a public and responsible position, if its claims for justice are valid.”