Top Greek court to rule on Russian whistleblower’s fate on June 14

Greece’s Supreme Court will on June 14 rule on whether to execute European arrest warrants issued against a Russian whistleblower who helped a Maltese journalist investigate money-laundering and corruption.

Malta wants to arrest former bank employee Maria Efimova for allegedly providing false evidence, making false accusations to authorities, and appropriation of funds.

Efimova, 36, had provided information to Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in a car bombing on October 16. Three Maltese men have been ordered to stand trial for her murder.

On Friday, Efimova told the court she could face a similar ending to that suffered by the slain journalist if she was extradited, as she is the only witness alive who can reveal state corruption in Malta.

“Daphne is no longer here. The only witness will be me. This is why it is possible they don’t want me to exist,” she said.

Last month, the Athens Appeal Council rejected the extradition request and ordered that she be released from temporary detention. State prosecutor Antonis Liogas referred the case to the Supreme Court where the final decision will be taken.

Efimova was employed for three months in 2016 by the Maltese-registered Pilatus Bank. Her first contact with Caruana Galizia was by email in October 2016 and their coopereation started in February 2017.