ATHENS — "The decision of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding Novartis highlights two elements: First, it tears down the conspiracy set up by [main opposition] SYRIZA against its political opponents and leaves its leadership exposed. Secondly, it fully vindicates the positions expressed by Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the start, both as a leader of the main opposition and later, as prime minister," government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said in a statement on Friday.

Even if SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras remains silent, "those responsible for this conspiracy will be uncovered. At the same time, justice must continue its work undisturbed, so that those who harmed the Greek state are punished, on the one hand, and so Novartis can compensate for the damage to the State and the citizens, on the other hand," he added.

Concluding, the government spokesperson said that "the government is immediately launching an initiative to investigate all appropriate ways for the compensation of the Greek state, activating the state mechanism and the legal council of the state."