New details have emerged in the investigation into an alleged planning-permit network following the resignation of Culture Ministry Secretary-General Giorgos Didaskalou, with court documents describing suspected efforts to influence advisory bodies responsible for decisions on protected properties.
According to the case file, the same group of officials, centered on the Kifissia planning office, allegedly sought to affect decisions of Culture Ministry councils that issue opinions on whether properties should be designated protected monuments. Investigators describe a former secretary-general of the Municipality of Galatsi and chair of the Central Athens Architectural Council as a key link between municipal planning authorities and the ministry. She is among six people arrested by the Internal Affairs Service and has been ordered held in pretrial detention.
Among those accused, but not arrested, is a private engineer who served on the Central Council for Modern Monuments as a representative of the Technical Chamber of Greece. Her alleged involvement arises from a demolition permit case concerning a property in Petralona.
Investigators cite recorded conversations from early 2026. In one exchange, a relative of the property owner discussed the case with the central defendant and asked whether she knew someone on the archaeological council. Later communications allegedly involved the engineer, who said she had intervened to secure a favorable opinion. According to the transcript, she stated: “Damn, I fought hard for it. I brought it through by the skin of its teeth, I’m telling you, by the skin of its teeth, by majority vote.” Internal Affairs said it did not determine whether she requested or received any of the money allegedly paid by the private individual.
