Prominent Greek journalist and political analyst Paschos Mandravelis denounced that he has received death threats over comments about Cretans involved in the OPEKEPE subsidies fraud scandal.

, “you will have the fate of Karaivaz”

On Thursday night, “Kathimerini” and Skai TV journalist Paschos Mandravelis received a phone call with a hidden number.

“A guy told me that I have three days to leave the country. That I will have the fate of Karaivaz*. That “we will clean you up for daring to put Crete in your mouth””, Paschos revealed.

Earlier, he had made a comment on SKAI’s news bulletin about the agricultural protests, but without it having any particular focus on Crete. He reportedly said that the developments in the OPEKEPE investigation are intensifying the unrest, while also causticizing the image and attitude of “Frapé,”, a man from Crete known under the nickname of the famous Greek ice cold coffee. “Frapes” is currently testifying to the Parliamentary committee investigating the OPEKEPE scandal.

Journalists’ Union ESIEA support Mandravelis

In a statement issued late on Friday, the Journalists’ union ESIEA said:

The Board of Directors of ESIEA expresses its full support to colleague Paschos Mandravelis who is receiving threats to his life. ESIEA states to those who believe that with false accusations they will hinder criticism and the practice of the journalistic profession, they should be assured that Greek journalists do not hesitate and will continue their work without hindrance.

Giorgos Karaivaz was an investigative journalist gunned down outside his home in southern Athens in 2021 when he was returning home after his work at Star TV. The 53-year-old journalist was investigating for years the Greek mafia. His murderers were never found.