A Greek court is expected to deliver its verdict today in the trial of two former protected witnesses at the center of the long-running Novartis scandal. The case, which shook Greek politics when it first emerged, now focuses not on alleged corruption but on whether the witnesses misled prosecutors with false testimony.
The defendants, known under witness protection aliases as “Maximos Sarafis” and “Aikaterini Kelesi,” have been on trial for months before the Misdemeanors Court of Athens on charges of perjury and false accusation. Their real names—Filistor Destempasidis and Maria Marangeli—came to light after their protected status was lifted in 2024.
The controversy dates back to 2017–2018, when both accused claimed that ten high-profile political figures had received illicit payments from pharmaceutical giant Novartis. Those named included former prime ministers and ministers. Subsequent investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing, and all cases were closed without charges, with the politicians describing the affair as a politically driven “conspiracy.”
Prosecutors have since accused the two witnesses of knowingly giving false statements. In late August, the public prosecutor, Eirini Pelekanou, recommended convicting Marangeli on eight counts of perjury and Destempasidis on a smaller number of charges, while seeking their acquittal on false accusation charges. According to the prosecutor, Marangeli presented her allegations as facts, while Destempasidis often attributed his claims to secondhand information.
If found guilty, the maximum penalty for each act is three years’ imprisonment before sentences are merged.
The trial has heard testimony from complainants—including former prime minister Antonis Samaras, current and former ministers, and senior officials—as well as defense arguments from the two accused. Both deny wrongdoing.
