A landmark decision
The conviction on Monday of former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos by an Athens appeals court for laundering money made in kickbacks marks a milestone in the country’s post-dictatorship era.
The trial also demonstrates, in a most vivid way, that Greek society will no longer tolerate the corruption and impunity that has prevailed for so long in the political system.
The decision reached by the court is largely due to the existence of serious, young members of the country’s judiciary who carried out their duties diligently and in a most organized fashion.
What the country now needs is for this landmark decision to be followed by more action and reforms.
The only way for Greece’s political system to fully restore its credibility is for its politicians to abolish their own immunity and the statutory limitation for deputies and ministers to be tried for crimes.
