In December 2025, Grigoris Dimitriadis, nephew of the Prime Minister and former Secretary General to the Prime Minister, filed a lawsuit against four journalists and the director of the radio station Sto Kokkino. Mr. Dimitriadis resigned from his position on 5 August 2022 following the outbreak of the wiretapping scandal, for which he was deemed politically responsible for the National Intelligence Service (EYP), according to the Prime Minister.
POESY (Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’ Unions) issued a statement condemning the lawsuit on 29 December 2025, describing it as an “attack on press freedom.”
The Union pointed out that the current court proceedings underway examining the wiretapping of journalists, politicians, and business leaders are a matter of public interest, and the continuing legal attacks directed against journalists reporting on the case may therefore be defined as malicious SLAPPs. The Board of POESY recalls the government’s explicit commitment to align national law with the European Directive on protecting the press from SLAPPs. The Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’ Unions assures all colleagues that it will stand by them in their difficult work of documenting and reporting real events and news.
In a state governed by the rule of law, where individual rights and specifically freedom of the press are protected, journalists have the right to exercise their profession freely and independently, without censorship, without threats to their life or physical integrity (whether from private actors or state authorities), and without disproportionate or unjustified restrictions. Their role is to ensure comprehensive public information on matters of significant public interest.
Despite the constitutional protection of press freedom under Article 14(2) of the Constitution, in this case POESY condemned Mr. Dimitriadis’ new lawsuit against journalists of Sto Kokkino as an “attack on press freedom,” in the context of journalistic reporting and commentary on the surveillance affair, a matter of clear public interest.
Bank Account number: 1100 0232 0016 560
IBAN: GR56 0140 1100 1100 0232 0016 560
BIC: CRBAGRAA
In a time where the very foundations of democracy are gradually being eroded by the rise of extreme nationalism, alt-right movements, the spread of disinformation and corporate capture, the efforts of organisations such as Vouliwatch are more relevant than ever.
We rely on the generosity of each and every one of you to continue with our efforts for more transparency and accounta
By financially supporting Vouliwatch you support our litigation strategy, our campaigns for transparency and accountability in the political system, the development of new civic tech tools, our research projects and last but not least our impartial and accurate
