Initial probe into Varoufakis hack claims dropped
An initial probe into claims by former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis about the creation of a parallel currency if Greece failed to reach an agreement with its lenders has been shelved due to lack of evidence.
The first instance prosecutor’s office in Athens found that there was no evidence to suggest that any politicians were involved in wrongdoing earlier this year. Investigations carried out by the General Secretariat for Public Revenue and the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) failed to yield any results.
The probe was ordered after it emerged that Varoufakis claimed in a conversation with investors on July 16 that he talked to a ministry employee about hacking into the general secretariat’s online system during alleged attempts to create a scheme that would help the government overcome liquidity problems.
No evidence was found that any hacking took place. The appeals court prosecutor’s office will now have to decide whether to drop the case or continue the investigation. Regardless of its decision, the case file will be sent to Parliament, which will decide whether Varoufakis should face an inquiry.
