Supreme Court president says use of lists not illegal

eKathimerini — Supreme Court president Vassiliki Thanou, who served as caretaker prime minister in September, has told Kathimerini she believes a recent law allowing authorities to use information obtained through eavesdropping to trace tax evaders and other offenders is in line with the constitution.

The recently passed directive prompted an angry reaction from prosecutors, who clashed with Alternate Justice Minister Dimitris Papangelopoulos, as they believe that illegally obtained material, such as the details of Greeks with deposits abroad, should not be used for such purposes. Thanou, however, appears to disagree with this stance.

“This is no issue of the directive being unconstitutional,” she said, adding that the information would be used by prosecutors and judges, who could ensure that constitutional rights are not breached.