Tempi Train Crash: Greek Parliament to Investigate Former Minister Karamanlis

The Greek Parliament is set to receive the complete case file concerning the tragic Tempi train crash, marking a significant step toward investigating potential criminal liabilities of former Transport and Infrastructure Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

The file, compiled over two years of investigations, was forwarded to Parliament by Supreme Court Prosecutor Georgia Adeilini, as confirmed in an official document.

The Tempi disaster, which occurred in 2023, prompted extensive inquiries led by Appellate Investigator Sotiris Bakaimis. The case file includes recent testimonies from senior Transport Ministry officials, who claimed that Karamanlis had been warned about critical safety issues and systemic failures in the railway’s operations. These revelations have paved the way for a parliamentary probe into the former minister’s actions during his tenure.

According to the document, the investigation spans from 2016 to 2023 and also references former minister Christos Spirtzis, who served under the SYRIZA-ANEL government. However, any potential liabilities for Spirtzis are reportedly time-barred, leaving the focus primarily on Karamanlis. The file’s transfer to Parliament adheres to Greece’s constitutional provisions and Law 3126/2003, which govern ministerial accountability and prohibit judicial investigations into ministers’ criminal responsibilities.

The Supreme Court Prosecutor’s document states:

“We submit, in accordance with Article 86, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution and Law 3126/2003 on the criminal liability of ministers, the document forwarded by Appellate Investigator Sotiris Bakaimis, including the entire investigative case file in digital format. The investigator notes that evidence has emerged related to offenses under Article 1, paragraph 1 of Law 3126/2003, which is being forwarded without evaluation for the investigation of potential criminal liability of former Ministers of Infrastructure and Transport from January 1, 2016, to February 28, 2023.”

Next Steps: Parliamentary Inquiry and Potential Charges

With the case file now in Parliament’s hands, the establishment of a preliminary investigative committee to examine Karamanlis’s role appears inevitable. The government has pledged not to obstruct any judicial requests for parliamentary scrutiny. However, key questions remain: which political parties will initiate the committee, and will the government itself take the lead? Most critically, what specific offences will be investigated?

The nature of the charges—whether misdemeanor or felony—carries significant political, legal, and criminal implications. Notably, two senior Transport Ministry directors, who provided testimony before Easter, face felony charges. One was released without conditions, while the other was released with restrictions. The ongoing investigation also scrutinises the ministry’s general secretaries from 2016 to 2023, with Bakaimis expected to decide soon whether to press charges against them.

A Pivotal Moment for Accountability

The Tempi tragedy has left a lasting mark on Greece, fuelling demands for accountability. The parliamentary probe into Karamanlis’s tenure will be a critical test of the country’s commitment to addressing systemic failures in its railway system. As investigations proceed, the Greek public and international observers alike await clarity on the extent of responsibility for one of the nation’s deadliest rail disasters.

Source: pagenews.gr