ABTTF President: „The wiretapping scandal has once again demonstrated beyond doubt the power of the deep state in our country, and the principles of democracy and the rule of law have been completely ignored as a result of the illegal wiretapping. The Turkish community in Western Thrace, which the deep state sees as a threat and danger to national security in our country, has been marginalised and targeted with similar practices for decades. However, what is really sad, and worrying is that this perspective towards our community is not limited to the deep state but is also rooted in the politics and media of our country.”
Greece sent a letter in response to a 29 July letter from the European Commission requesting information on the matter, following allegations that PASOK-KİNAL President and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Nikos Androulakis and journalist Thanasis Koukakis were illegally wiretapped with a software called ‘‘Predator’’ by the National Intelligence Agency (EYP).
In a letter of reply on 2 August, Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas rejected the allegations of the use of illegal listening software.
The letter of reply of Ambassador Vrailas indicates that the EYP has never purchased or used an illegal wiretapping software called ‘‘Predator’’ or any other illegal surveillance system, and that the independent and impartial National Transparency Authority in Greece is investigating the matter and has concluded that the EYP or the police did not use the ‘‘Predator’’ software, thus not violating the EU data protection acquis.
The letter argues that the alleged installation of spyware on the phone of Androulakis has no connection with the Greek state, but that the results of the investigation urgently requested by the government to clarify this sensitive issue will be shared with the European Commission.
“The Ambassador’s letter to the European Commission denying the wiretapping scandal is nothing more than an attempt by our country to cover up the facts. There is undoubtedly a huge scandal, and that is that the EYP, which is directly subordinate to the Prime Minister, illegally wiretapped the leader of an opposition party and a journalist on national security grounds. The wiretapping scandal has once again demonstrated beyond doubt the power of the deep state in our country, and the principles of democracy and the rule of law have been completely ignored as a result of the illegal wiretapping. The Turkish community in Western Thrace, which the deep state sees as a threat and danger to national security in our country, has been marginalised and targeted with similar practices for decades. However, what is really sad and worrying is that this perspective towards our community is not limited to the deep state but is also rooted in the politics and media of our country. The statement by New Democracy Party Deputy and Second Deputy Speaker of the Greek Parliament Charalampos Athanasiou that Turkish deputies in the Parliament belonging to our community can be legally wiretapped to on the grounds of national security is the latest manifestation of this sick mindset’’, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
