The works of the parliamentary preliminary investigation committee set to examine possible criminal offenses of former deputy minister for climate crisis and civil protection Christos Triantopoulos at the site of the train disaster of Tempi ended before the could properly start on Tuesday.
In a post on social media, Triantopoulos said he had written to the chairman of the committee requesting the committee refer him to court so that he can be vindicated.
According to the procedure, he would be referred to court, had the committee come to results negative for him.
“I have nothing to hide, nor to fear. I have absolute faith in my innocence and blind trust in Justice,” Triantopoulos said in his letter.
The government hailed his decision as “political bravery.”
Beginning of March, Triantopoulos resigned from his post to support the inquiry by the parliament.
Main opposition party, socialist PASOK, had tabled the proposal to establish the committee, claiming Triantopoulos covered up evidence on the site of the Tempi railway disaster by covering it with hardcore a couple of days after the 28. February 2023 collision between a passenger and a cargo train, in which 57 people died. The official accusation is “dereliction of duty.”
Triantopoulos has denied any wrongdoing.
