MEPs Greek Parliament on Thursday approved an investigation into the former Minister of Transport Kostas Karamanlis in connection with the worst railway tragedy in the countryin which 57 people died more than two years ago. Karamanlis welcomed the investigation as an opportunity to clean his name, TASR writes based on AFP report.
The tragedy occurred on February 28, 2023 on the track between Athens and Thessaloniki – near the pace, respectively larger Larisa. The passenger train collided with a freight train shortly before midnight, because he accidentally allowed him to ride on the same track. Both trains went against each other after the same track for about 12 minutes without running an alarm. After the collision, there was an explosion and a fire. Most of the 57 victims of their lives were students and young people.
The collision has triggered extensive protests in Greece IV abroad. In connection with it, more than 40 people, including the local head of the station responsible for the dispatch of trains, are prosecuted. However, the beginning of the process is not expected by the end of the year.
Karamanlis told Members that he would never “will never forget” for the fateful night of the accident. At the same time, he insisted that he did “everything” he could, to improve the condition of the Greek railways, to which the tragedy was attention. “I didn’t neglect, I didn’t ignore the railways, on the contrary,” He said during a debate that started in Parliament on Wednesday. He added that he also asks “justice” and It therefore fully supports the proposal for the establishment of a special investigation committee.
The Parliamentary Committee will now review whether Should KaraManlis be prosecuted for breaking his dutieswhich is classified as an offense. The opposition parties demanded his charge of a crime and thus criticize the conservative government for masking their potential guilt by supporting the investigation of only a less serious offense.
Some opposition left -wing and far right -wing parties even They tried to achieve the investigation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself in connection with the tragedyand blamed him from treason, which he himself called “shameful”.
The Greek parliament deputies have recently voted the prosecution of former deputy Minister of Civil Protection Christos Triantopulos accused of breaking their duties in connection with the consequences of the accident. The opposition claims that Triantopulos, whose Prime Minister sent to the scene of the accident, ordered the cleaning of this place, destroying important evidence. Triantopulos denies any offense.
