Greek MPs To Back Probe Into Novartis Bribes

Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Feb, 2018 ) :Greece's parliament was early Thursday to approve a probe into whether nearly a dozen senior politicians received bribes from or helped promote Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis during their term in office.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' majority in the chamber was expected to vote in favour of setting up a preliminary commission of inquiry into the issue. "Is there anybody who doubts this company's opaque practises?" Tsipras told parliament, arguing that thousands of doctors were illegally paid to prescribe Novartis drugs, that the Swiss giant helped "manipulate" the prices of its products and laundered money through medical congresses of "questionable merit.

" "After hubris, catharsis is required," Tsipras said.

"Justice will be served." Only parliament has the power to investigate former ministers for actions taken while in power. Among the ten senior politicians allegedly named by protected witnesses in a mostly US-based investigation are conservative ex-PM Antonis Samaras, EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and central banker Yannis Stournaras. They all deny wrongdoing.