Novartis Case: ‘My Statements Are True,’ Claims Maximos Sarafis – Seeks Trial Broadcast by Media

‘My statements are true.’ This is the essence of the declaration made by former protected witness Maximos Sarafis at the start of his trial in the Novartis pharmaceutical scandal. He faces charges of false statements and false accusations following notifications involving politicians implicated in the case. Also on trial is former protected witness Aikaterini Kelesi, while Nikos Maniadakis holds a dual role as both defendant and witness in separate cases. Sarafis denies the charges against him and reiterates that his statements are truthful. He further claims that the alleged criminal acts he is accused of have already been expunged due to the statute of limitations. In his statement, Sarafis emphasized that the offenses he is charged with have been erased and announced plans for legal objections against the indictment. He also requested the trial be broadcast through television, radio, internet, and other media outlets due to its significant public interest. Sarafis referenced the U.S. criminal settlement involving Novartis, highlighting that protected witnesses initially reported the misconduct in the U.S., leading to a $311 million settlement to avoid prosecution for illegal activities in Greece. He noted that Greek courts had previously examined these allegations thoroughly and exonerated prosecutors, affirming his credibility as a public-interest witness. The court must now determine the legality of reversing his status as a public-interest witness, the validity of the ongoing prosecution, and whether the legal proceedings were justified. Despite nearly nine years since the initial investigation by U.S. authorities based on protected witnesses’ testimonies, the Greek trial has commenced, addressing bribery allegations involving Greek politicians and officials admitted by Novartis itself.