Judges reject travel ban appeal by Novartis probe suspect

A judicial council yesterday rejected the appeal against a travel ban slapped on one of the former protected witnesses in a kickbacks investigation involving Swiss pharma giant Novartis.

In an extensive statement, Nikos Maniadakis tried to assure judges that he was not a flight risk. He also highlighted a series of failings by prosecutors in the investigation and contradictions that led to his status being change from that of witness to suspect. His efforts, however, failed.

Maniadakis, an academic and former Health Ministry advisor, was barred from leaving the country on December 31. The investigation concerns allegations that the drugmaker bribed doctors and public officials to increase its access to the Greek market and sell its products at inflated prices. It is largely based on the testimonies of the three key witnesses.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (c) is seen with students during a visit to the German School of Athens, yesterday. Merkel’s talks with the students focused on the economy and the risks of rising nationalism in the European Union.