Ex-prosecutor rebuked over claims of gov’t interference

Claims by former financial prosecutor Spyros Mouzakitis, who had handled a probe into the so-called Lagarde list of wealthy Greeks, that his work was obstructed by the government on Monday prompted the intervention of a Justice Ministry official.

In an interview with Proto Thema newspaper, 15 months after he and partner Grigoris Peponis were replaced by new prosecutors, Mouzakitis said he worked under the constant threat of disciplinary action during the probe.

Commenting, Justice Ministry general secretary Giorgos Sourlas said he had asked Minister Haris Athanasiou if prosecutors should have the right to practice law when they resign, particularly if they are defending “economic crimes against the state.” As Mouzakitis has undertaken the defense of former Golden Dawn deputy Stathis Boukouras and ex-Aspis insurance firm chief Pavlos Psomiadis, currently in prison for fraud, Sourlas’s comment appears to have been targeted.