Novartis Trial: Key Witness “Maximos Sarafis” Testifies

The news in Greek

1. υπόθεση  (f.)
   γεγονός ή ζήτημα που μελετάται ή εξετάζεται. ↩︎
2. σκάνδαλο  (n.)
   γεγονός που προκαλεί έντονη δημόσια κριτική και αποδοκιμασία. ↩︎
3. κατηγορώ
   ισχυρίζομαι εναντίον κάποιου ότι έκανε κάτι κακό ή παράνομο. ↩︎
4. μαρτυρία  (f.)
   δήλωση ή περιγραφή για κάτι που έγινα αντιληπτό προσωπικά. ↩︎
5. αποδεικτικός
   αυτός που επιβεβαιώνει με στοιχεία. ↩︎
6. ακρόαση  (f.)
   συνάντηση για να ακουστούν γεγονότα ή επιχειρήματα, συνήθως σε δικαστική υπόθεση. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What role did Maximos Sarafis have at Novartis?

Question 2: When is the next hearing scheduled?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
υπόθεση  (f.)	case
σκάνδαλο  (n.)	scandal
κατηγορώ	accuse
μαρτυρία  (f.)	testimony
αποδεικτικός	evidentiary
ακρόαση  (f.)	hearing

Read the full story

The ongoing Novartis case, a major pharmaceutical scandal in Greece, reached a critical stage today as a former key witness, known by the pseudonym “Maximos Sarafis”, appeared in court to testify. The individual, whose real name is Filistor Destambasidis, a former executive at the pharmaceutical company, is accused of making false statements and false denunciations regarding alleged bribery of Greek political figures.

During the proceedings at the Single-Member Misdemeanour Court, Destambasidis reiterated his previous claims that several prominent political figures, including former Prime Ministers and Ministers, were implicated in receiving illicit payments from Novartis. These allegations, initially made to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, were later archived due to a lack of supporting evidence.

Destambasidis, unlike his co-defendant Maria Marangeli who opted for legal representation instead of personal attendance, has been consistently present throughout the trial. He maintains that his testimony is “absolutely true.” He further asserted that the Novartis scandal extended to bribery of Greek politicians and government officials, a claim he argues is supported by admissions made by Novartis in the United States.

Central to his accusations was the involvement of another Novartis executive, Konstantinos Frouzis, whom Destambasidis identified as the source of his information. However, Frouzis has denied these allegations in court.

The defendant’s testimony, anticipated to commence in the afternoon, signifies an important moment in the trial, which will pause briefly after this stage is completed. The next session, involving the testimony of Maria Marangeli under the alias “Aikaterini Kelesi,” is scheduled for the end of August.

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