Former Greek minister claims receiving death threats by ruling party members

Former Greek Public Order Minister Yannis Panoussis appeared before a Supreme Court prosecutor on Monday to submit information on his allegations that ruling Radical Left SYRIZA party members with ties to terrorism groups threatened his life.

In what is like an unusual political- police thriller for Greece the professor of criminology who served as a member of SYRIZA's cabinet from January to August this year claims that he had been targeted by party officers who had often visited terrorists and criminals in prison.

In an interview with "Proto Thema" (Top Story) Greek newspaper and comments to media after his testimony to judicial authorities Panoussis clarified that the four names he gave to authorities were not MPs or ministers, but party officials.

The former minister said that he was also alerted on the danger by the current head of Greece's National Intelligence Service Yannis Roubatis.

According to Panoussis the party officers involved were members of a criminal ring including police officers who would gain from pledging special treatment to inmates. He claimed that he received threats over the treatment of terrorists during his term in office.

The former Minister said that in his opinion the evidence he submitted was adequate so that the prosecutor can address criminal charges.

The current Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos who was asked to comment on the case appeared doubtful over the validity of the allegations.

Main opposition New Democracy party and other parties represented in parliament called for a thorough investigation into the claims. Endit