Greek prosecutors probe plot to kill ex-PM

Greek prosecutors opened a criminal investigation Wednesday into an alleged plot to assassinate one-time prime minister Costas Karamanlis, following months of media revelations.

Prosecutor Nikos Ornerakis decided to opened a full probe into “a plot to commit high treason” after interviewing officers, Greek intelligence officials and members of Karamanlis’s security detail, a judicial source told AFP.

A provisional investigation was launched last June after newspapers, citing a Russian secret service document, unveiled an alleged plot to kill Karamanlis, who was prime minister from 2004 to 2009.

The media said the document, sent to Greek intelligence, warned of a bid to assassinate the premier because of his perceived pro-Russian politics.

Karamanlis had made closer ties with Russia a priority of his government, focusing on petrol and gas deals.