Greek Branch Of Transparency Int'l Unveils New 'Anti-Corruption' Hotline

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The Greek branch of Transparency International unveiled a special phone line where citizens can call in and report instances of corruption that they come across, both in the private sector and the public sector.

The non-governmental organisation, in an effort to shorten the long delays often seen between incidents of corruption being reported and the action taken in response, said it was setting up the independent phone line 10190 to receive complaints, in hopes of mobilising the public against such phenomena and to provide support to those reporting such incidents.

     "Our aim is [the public's] mobilisation through targeted actions but also by providing protection for individuals able to make revelations about corruption," said the head of Transparency International Greece Costas Bakouris during a press conference.

The 'Transparency Now' phone line will be supported by a team of legal experts and staffed by volunteers, who will advise members of the public reporting corruption on how to receive further help and provide guidance on how they should proceed in order for their report to be effectively dealt with.

It will also chase up cases where reports are ignored, writing to the services involved, while pressing the government to create an effective legal framework to protect witnesses reporting instances of corruption.

The phone line will operate on Monday and Friday between the hours of 3:00-7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Complaints can also be filed online at the website http://www.transparency.gr/diafaneiatora.