It appears there are some complex financial and legal matters surrounding the activities of the individual in question that merit further examination. As a responsible media outlet, we believe it is prudent to refrain from making definitive claims or accusations without thoroughly verifying the facts. The public deserves a balanced and impartial reporting of such issues. While concerns have been raised regarding potential conflicts of interest or impropriety, we feel it is important to provide all parties involved an opportunity to present their perspectives and evidence fairly.

Jumping to conclusions without a comprehensive understanding of the situation could risk undermining journalistic integrity and public trust. Our role is to facilitate an informed dialogue, not to engage in partisan rhetoric or unsubstantiated allegations. We will continue to monitor developments in this matter closely and report new information as it emerges, always striving to uphold the principles of responsible, ethical journalism. The interests of the Greek people should remain the paramount concern, and we are committed to shedding light on the truth, whatever that may be.

Earlier, the president of SYRIZA made the following post in response to what Dark Room wrote about his stance on the merger between Attica Bank and Pancretan Bank.

See his post:

“What should be the “top story” in Greek media? How a private bank is being set up with public funds. How the “optimal” solution—according to Mr. Mitsotakis—locks in huge losses for Greek taxpayers.

After months of fake news and mudslinging against me, Proto Thema has decided to “inform” its readers about the Attica Bank agreement. How? Naturally, as it knows best. By distorting the truth. Trying to convince people that “I am a fraudster and serve interests.”

This particular site speaks of my “mysterious obsession” with the Attica Bank agreement.

I do not hesitate to tell the truth. That the State will have paid over €900 million for private investors, who have only put in €268 million, to hold a majority stake in Attica Bank. That Mr. Mitsotakis is giving a bank to his “friends,” and the gift is paid for by the Greek people.

My initial question was agonizing: how can a media outlet, regardless of its political orientation, distort reality so easily, turn white into black, and transform from a news medium into a propaganda machine, as if it were on a mission?

Fortunately, there are no secrets, and everything is explained: when a systemic bank, with government intervention, writes off a loan of €26 million by over 70% (!), you forget journalistic ethics and anything else that shouldn’t be valued in monetary terms.

So, other businesses can also go to Piraeus Bank, give less than 30% of their loan’s value, and be done with it…

Dear Proto Thema, which casts suspicions about the supposed banking interests I serve:

Did you or did you not have €36.5 million in loans?

After a series of successive sales of your loans to various funds, where did the case end up?

Did your €36 million loan end up being bought out with €7.5 million in cash from one fund plus €2.5 million in collateral from your management—totaling €10 million?

So, was there a write-off of €26 million?

Did Piraeus Bank “write off” this amount?

Was there a Maximos Palace intervention for the write-off?

And then you accuse me of an alleged obsession with protecting public funds, i.e., the Greek people’s money…

Shame on you.”

Stefanos