In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Stefanos Kasselakis, the former leader of Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA, publicly burned an extrajudicial legal notice he received from Grigoris Dimitriadis, the nephew of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The act, captured in a video posted on social media, underscores ongoing controversies surrounding alleged surveillance scandals involving the Greek National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the Predator spyware.
Kasselakis, who has positioned himself as a fierce critic of the ruling New Democracy party, described the notice as a “gift” from the “nephew of excellence” – a pointed reference to Dimitriadis’s family ties and his former role in the prime minister’s office. The notice stemmed from Kasselakis’s recent response to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, in which he sarcastically wished him well with his associates, including references to “frappes, butchers, Avgenakis, and the nephew who was monitoring everyone.” Dimitriadis, who has denied any wrongdoing, claimed in the notice that no charges have been filed against him by the justice system. Kasselakis countered that the case remains open and has never proceeded to formal investigation.
In the video, filmed in Athens, Kasselakis directly addressed Dimitriadis with six pointed questions related to the surveillance affair before tossing the document into a fire:
1. During the period when the surveillances were taking place, did you hold political oversight of the EYP? Yes or no?
2. Why did your uncle [Prime Minister Mitsotakis] force your resignation, stating that you should assume political responsibility? Was he mistaken? Did he wrong you? If so, he should retract it.
3. Is it true that the main accused, Yannis Lavrinos, is your koumbaros [close friend or best man at wedding]? Yes or no?
4. Regarding the same main accused, is it true that his driver purchased a company owned by you? Yes or no?
5. Is it true that the current General Director of New Democracy and close collaborator Yannis Smyrlis signed off on the export of the Predator spyware following a request from your koumbaros’s company?
6. Do you also consider it a coincidence that one-third of the Predator’s targets were also targets of the EYP, as described in the disgraceful report by former deputy prosecutor [Angelos] Zisis?
Kasselakis emphasized that these are “facts,” noting that the spyware allegedly targeted ministers, military officials, prosecutors, journalists, and businesspeople. He vowed to continue fighting for transparency, stating, “I will be here for the truth to shine. Without immunities, without state funding, without sponsors. The only one doing real opposition in this country. The only one who has faced trouble from Greek justice because, as a resident abroad, I lent taxed and clean money to pay salaries.”
As he burned the notice, Kasselakis declared, “I proceed with only the support of you, the Greek citizens, and return the notice of the excellent nephew where it belongs – as kindling.” He added that he eagerly awaits Dimitriadis’s next legal move, so that “the competent courts can finally judge exactly what his role was.”
The incident has reignited debates over the 2022 wiretapping scandal, which implicated high-level officials and led to Dimitriadis’s resignation. Critics, including SYRIZA, have accused the government of covering up the affair, while New Democracy maintains that investigations have found no evidence of misconduct. Kasselakis’s stunt has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with supporters praising his boldness and detractors calling it theatrical.
For Greeks abroad following the story, this latest chapter highlights the deepening rift in Greek politics ahead of potential elections, with Kasselakis framing himself as an outsider challenging entrenched power structures.
Watch the video here.