The
Russian state news channel Russia-24 came with an updated report that
sheds more light in a peculiar case that shaken Greece right before
the financial crisis hit the country. Connecting the dots through
additional information allegedly coming from the Russian
intelligence, the report supports a scenario that could have been
taken from CIA textbooks. According to this, there was a
well-organized operation against former Greek PM, Kostas Karamanlis,
aiming his political extermination and even assassination, once he
had 'dangerously' approached Russia. While assassination plans didn't
succeed, Karamanlis lost the elections of 2009 midst social,
political and financial instability allegedly reinforced by this
operation.
The
story begins in 2008, or even before this year. The then Greek PM,
Kostas Karamanlis starts facing difficulties with the Greek economy.
In his foreign policy he tries to get closer to Russia in several key
directions, from increasing trade volumes to purchasing arms.
Karamanlis
called Vladimir Putin his friend and Moscow was his strategic
partner. He supported Greece's participation in the
Burgas–Alexandroupoli pipeline and the South Stream. This was a gas
pipeline to deliver Russian oil and gas to South and Central Europe.
Agreements between the governments were signed.
Kostas
Karamanlis couldn't have known that because of these meetings and
negotiations, not deals, certain forces in Greece and beyond would
start an intricate plan to disrupt the projects. From the standard
destabilization of the country to the change of the political course.
This became famous from numerous Greek press articles.
If
we are to believe what has been published, the plan was called
Pythia-1. This plan was to be executed by foreign agents deployed in
Greece. Nobody knows which countries are behind them, but it's a
known fact that they had allies among the Greeks. These include the
Army, authorities and deputies. This was a well-prepared,
well-organized group, which has been following the Greek leader. It
seems that they were preparing his assassination.
The
Greek National Intelligence Service received a tip from the Russian
FSB. Based on this data, a secret document was created. The media
material state that the Russian special services got interest in this
story after certain foreign agents' attempts to tap the phones of
Kostas Karamanlis, Georgi Parvanov - the former Bulgarian president -
and Vladimir Putin.
In
these conversations they spoke about gas pipelines, oil and gas
supplies. In the West, some really didn't want to see project like
Burgas–Alexandroupoli and South Stream become a reality. It's hard
to believe, but putting an entire country into chaos is still a great
option.
Eventually,
the intruders didn't manage to assassinate Karamanlis, but they kept
a close eye on him. In that top-secret document an episode is
described where Russian spies met with the conspirators face-to-face.
It supposedly happened in April 2008, around Nea Makri, Attica. The
attention of PM guards and Russian spies was caught by a strange
minivan. People inside it left after the incident on a moped without
licence plates. Inside the minivan they found an arsenal, including
explosives, Kalashnikov rifles, communication tools, night vision
equipment, detailed maps with the PM's itinerary, and detailed
information of his bodyguards.
Weapons
and maps were taken as evidence. The Attorney General's office began
an investigation and after several years the case made it to court.
All conspiracy members' names are kept in secret. All in the
investigation's interests.
We
only know a few names:
William
Basil, a former CIA agent. He lived and worked in Greece since the
mid 90s. He is considered the best in monitoring and phone-tapping. A
warrant for his arrest was issued in 2015, but Basil had time to run.
It's a known fact that tapping Karamanlis was done from the phones he
personally bought. He also used SIM cards registered in Athens under
US Embassy.
Former
Greek parliamentary, Michalis Karhimakis is accused of treason and
divulging of state secrets. He was in PASOK party and ally of George
Papandreou.
Among
other accused parties are two former Greek special services agents.
They are also accused of treason and divulging of state secrets.
Considering
the leaked data from the intel. services to the press, which
mentioned about 20 political figures, we know that these four people
are just the tip of the iceberg.
Karamanlis
is alive, but he had to retire. He lost the snap elections in October
2009. Eventually, Greece slowly exited the Burgas–Alexandroupoli
pipeline and the South Stream. Also, Greece decided not to buy
Russian military equipment.
Note
that Kostas Karamanlis was defeated by George Papandreou in 2009
elections, right before the eruption of the financial crisis.
Papandreou is considered responsible for bringing IMF in Greece with
the subsequent devastating effects in the Greek economy due to its
brutal neoliberal policies.
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