On 4 February 2025, following the Ombudsperson’s Press Release, the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy published an Announcement 85 regarding the Press Release of the Ombudsperson, stating, inter alia: ‘The Report objectively attempts to shift the discussion from the criminal networks of smugglers to the members of the Coast Guard, who are fighting day and night to protect the country […].’ On 19 February 2025, following the Ministry’s announcement, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR), the independent advisory body to the Greek State, published a statement on the need to respect the constitutionally enshrined supervisory role of the independent authorities stating inter alia: […] the Greek National Commission for Human Rights expresses its deep concern regarding the Announcement of the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy of 4.2.2025, which treats the investigation of the Independent Authority of the Ombudsman regarding the Pylos shipwreck as politically motivated, ignoring its institutional role as the National Mechanism for the Investigation of Arbitrary Acts. In an extremely disturbing way, the Announcement also raises issues of questioning the legitimacy of the investigation due to the expiry of the term of office of the Ombudsman, in direct contradiction to what is stated in Article 101A of the Constitution ("the term of office of the members of independent authorities shall be extended until the appointment of new members"). This attack on an Independent Authority, and indeed on grounds relating to the exercise of its powers as provided for by the Constitution and the law, is a direct challenge to the institutional role which the Constitution itself guarantees for the Independent Authorities […].86 On 8 February 2025, the association of employees of the Ombudsperson’s Office, in reaction to the Ministry's announcement, condemned87 the attacks of the Ministry on the independent authority due to the Ombudsperson’s report on the Pylos shipwreck, calling it an institutional undermining and an attempt to devalue the authority’s work. Furthermore, following the Ministry's announcement, there also were strong reactions from opposition parties, the press and civil society organisations,88 which, inter alia, referred to unacceptable political interference by the Ministry in the work of the independent authority, an attempt to publicly discredit it and how the constitutionally guaranteed independent authorities are a pillar of the democratic constitutional order and guarantees of fundamental rights, while any attack on them constitutes a challenge to democracy. In May 2025, the lawyers representing the survivors and victims of the Pylos shipwreck 89 were: [..] informed of the completion of the preliminary investigation conducted by the competent Deputy Prosecutor of the Piraeus Naval Court, and the criminal prosecution and referral to main investigation on felony charges against 17 members of the Hellenic Coast Guard, including senior officers of its leadership. Specifically: A criminal prosecution has been initiated and they have been referred for main investigation by the competent Prosecutor of the Naval Court for the following felony offenses: 1. The captain of the Hellenic Coast Guard vessel (ΠΠΛΣ 920), who was involved in the shipwreck off Pylos on 13-14/6/2023, on the charge of: a) causing a shipwreck that could have endangered human life and resulted to the death of a big number of individuals (at least 82) [Article 277 para. 1 (b) and (d) of the Penal Code] b) Dangerous interference of maritime transport by disrupting the safe navigation of vessels, which could have endangered human life and resulted to the death of others (at least 82) (Article 291 para. 1 (f), (bb), and (dd) of the Penal Code). 85 86 87 88 89 Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy, ‘Announcement of the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy regarding the Press Release of the Ombudsman’, 4 February 2025, available in Greek here. Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR), Statement on the need to respect the constitutionally enshrined supervisory role of the Independent Authorities, 19 February 2025, available in Greek here. News 24/7, website Press Article, Ombudsman: "Orchestrated attack" after the conclusion on the Pylos shipwreck, 8 February 2025, available in Greek here. TVXS, ‘Shipwreck in Pylos / Nervousness in the government by the conclusion of the Ombudsman - "Raises the tones" the opposition’, 4 February 2025, available in Greek here; ERTNEWS, ‘SYRIZA: Unacceptable the attack of the Ministry of Shipping against the Ombudsman - Citizens are entitled to the truth about the tragedy of Pylos’, 4 February 2025, available in Greek here; H ΑΥΓΗ, ‘Shipwreck in Pylos / Unprecedented attack by the government on the Ombudsman after the conclusion - "fire"’, 4 February 2025, available in Greek here; The Press Project, ‘Attack of the Ministry of Shipping to the Ombudsman for the conclusion on Pylos - Full coverage of the responsibilities of the Coast Guard’, 4 February 2025, available in Greek here; Hellenic League for Human Rights, ‘The attack on the Independent Authorities is a Questioning of Democracy’, 11 February 2025, available in Greek here; Greek Council for Refugees et al, Joint Press Release, ‘Scathing report by the Greek Ombudsman on the Pylos shipwreck’, 6 February 2025, available here. Greek Council for Refugees et al, Joint Press Release, ‘Shipwreck off Pylos: criminal prosecution for felonies against 17 members of the hellenic coast guard, including senior officers of its leadership’, 23 May 2025, available here. 39