Varoufakis facing treason charge for hacking accounts

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis is set to face criminal prosecution for allegedly hacking taxpayer accounts in preparation for Greece's exit from the euro.

The Supreme Court has referred the case to parliament following complaints from a Greek lawyer and mayor, and separately by a group of opposition conservative parliamentarians.

The main opposition New Democracy party on Tuesday formally asked a parliamentary committee investigating Greece's bailouts to examine Varoufakis, with a view to determining whether Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was aware of his alleged acts.

All of those implicated face criminal charges ranging from breach of privacy to operating like a criminal gang with the intent of reverting to a different currency, judicial sources told The Times.

Varoufakis also faces charges of high treason and breach of duty - which carry prison sentences of between five and 25 years.

Under Greek law, all lawsuits against lawmakers, irrespective of their merits, must be examined by parliament as members of the house enjoy immunity from prosecution.

The legal move against Varoufakis allows parliament to prepare a special congressional committee to examine the allegations. Lawmakers would then vote on whether to lift Varoufakis' immunity.

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