The lottery for the members of the Judicial Council before the Plenary Session of the Greek Parliament marks a critical step in the case of former Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Kostas A. Karamanlis, regarding the misdemeanor of dereliction of duty related to the Tempi tragedy. The procedure follows the Plenary’s decision on July 22, 2025, setting the foundations for a fair and transparent process.
Regular Members – Ensuring Impartiality
Five regular members were selected by lottery, three from the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) and two from the Council of State (Ste):
- Styliani Bleta (Areios Pagos)
- Ilias Yiarenis (Areios Pagos)
- Konstantina Nakou (Areios Pagos)
- Agoritsa Sdraka (Council of State)
- Ioannis Symplis (Council of State)
This composition ensures objective evaluation of the evidence, giving the former minister the opportunity to fully defend his position within a transparent legal framework.
Alternate Members – Guaranteeing Smooth Procedure
The alternate members are:
- Ioannis Apostolopoulos (Areios Pagos)
- Panagiota Goudi-Nine (Areios Pagos)
- Odysseas Spachis (Council of State)
Their presence guarantees that the case will proceed without unnecessary delays, allowing for substantive assessment of the facts.
Prosecutorial Oversight – Transparency and Legality
From the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office, the following were appointed:
- Pagona Zaka – Acting Prosecutor
- Konstantinos Sofoulakis – Deputy
Their oversight ensures the procedure is conducted with full respect for judicial ethics and legality.
Pro-Karamanlis Perspective
The lottery and strict procedural safeguards provide Karamanlis with a fair chance, protecting his presumption of innocence. The case will be judged on evidence, not political pressure, giving Karamanlis the opportunity to demonstrate his integrity and seriousness.
The process represents a crucial test for democracy and the rule of law, highlighting the importance of an independent judiciary in Greece.
The truth will be determined by facts, not rumors or political maneuvering.