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The effective and timely administration of justice is a cornerstone of democracy. However, in Greece, language services—primarily translation and interpreting—have frequently been used as bureaucratic smokescreens to delay legal proceedings in major corruption and negligence scandals. The cases of Siemens, Novartis, and the Tempi train crash stand out as emblematic examples where the translation of key documents and the provision of interpreters became convenient tools for stalling justice. The Siemens Scandal: Lost in Translation
The Siemens bribery scandal, one of the most significant corruption cases in modern Greek history, involved illicit payments to Greek officials to secure government contracts. As the investigation progressed, the necessity of translating thousands of pages of German legal documents was cited as a primary reason for procedural delays. Legal teams and authorities faced lengthy waiting periods for translations, prolonging the investigation and ultimately affecting the statute of limitations. By the time critical translations were completed, some of the charges had expired, allowing key figures to evade full accountability. A particularly notable example occurred in July 2016, when the trial was indefinitely postponed because the 4,500-page charge sheet and essential documents had not been translated into German and French. The court upheld complaints from the legal counsel of 13 German defendants and one French-Swiss national regarding the absence of documents in their native languages. This delay significantly impacted the course of the trial, raising concerns about the manipulation of procedural requirements to benefit the accused. Novartis: A Scripted Stalemate The Novartis scandal, involving allegations of bribery and price-fixing within the pharmaceutical sector, also saw the strategic use of language services to hinder progress. The translation of crucial documents from English and Swiss-German sources into Greek was repeatedly delayed, preventing timely judicial action. Furthermore, the need for interpreters during witness testimonies and cross-border legal cooperation became a recurring justification for postponements. These linguistic bottlenecks significantly slowed the inquiry, creating an impression of judicial inefficiency while conveniently benefiting those under investigation. A striking example of translation issues in this case occurred in June 2022, when it was revealed that the Greek Foreign Ministry's translation service had altered an official FBI document related to the case. The original document named individuals such as Andreas Loverdos and Giorgos Patoulis as recipients of bribes from Novartis, yet their names were omitted in the Greek translation. This omission led to further delays and complications in the legal proceedings, fueling suspicions of deliberate interference. The Tempi Train Crash: Bureaucratic Delays and Justice Denied The 2023 Tempi train disaster, which resulted in the tragic loss of 57 lives, exposed serious infrastructural failures and governmental negligence. As authorities sought to identify responsibilities, the translation of key technical reports and communications—many of which involved European railway safety standards—became an unexpected roadblock. The slow pace of translation services led to delays in hearings and investigative findings, fueling public frustration. Adding to the controversy, former Hellenic Train CEO Maurizio Capotorto refused to sign his deposition during a Parliamentary Inquiry Committee hearing, citing issues with the provided interpretation. His refusal, along with claims of difficulty in understanding the interpretation, led to further delays and sparked an investigation into potential perjury. This incident reinforced suspicions that language services were being used to obstruct justice rather than facilitate it. Conclusion: Weaponizing Bureaucracy The strategic use of translation and interpretation as a delay tactic is not unique to Greece, but its impact on these high-profile cases highlights a troubling pattern. Whether through intentional bureaucratic inefficiency or deliberate manipulation, the abuse of language services has contributed to the erosion of public trust in the legal system. Moving forward, there is an urgent need for systemic reforms, including stricter timelines for translation services, increased judicial oversight, and greater transparency in legal proceedings. Only by addressing these issues can Greece ensure that language barriers serve justice rather than obstruct it. References:
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February 2025
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