PN head of delegation David Casa has met Pilatus whistleblower Maria Efimova in the Greek prison where she is being held after she turned herself in to Greek authorities.

Speaking after the meeting, Casa said that “deciding to expose corruption and wrongdoing when you are private person is not easy. It takes courage. It means placing the common good above your own safety. And when the case is as high profile as that in which Maria was involved it takes a strength of character that few possess.

"Whistleblowers with incriminating evidence about Pilatus Bank and its clients have been the victims of cruel, vicious campaigns to discredit and vilify them. In Maria’s case it led to her fleeing Malta in fear for her life and the security of her family.

"I came to Athens to make sure Maria knows that she is not alone. That I am behind her. That the European Parliament is behind her. And she will find us with her every step of the way."

Efimova is currently behind detained because of charges made against her by Pilatus Bank. Overwhelming evidence has long been in the public domain linking this bank to corruption and money laundering. The recent arrest of Ali Sadr Hasheminejad further confirms that this bank is indeed a criminal organization.

In another development, Cypriot Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou said Interpol withdrew Cyprus’ arrest warrant against Maria Efimova, who surrendered to Greek authorities eight days ago, the Cypriot Business Mail reported.

He added that Cyprus’ arrest warrant, issued late last year after a complaint filed by a Russian-owned, Limassol-based company for which Efimova had worked until 2014 in relation to an alleged embezzlement of funds, had not been rejected by Interpol. The arrest warrant related to Pilatus Bank remains in force.

"It is not Maria that should be behind bars. Maria asked me to express her immense gratitude for the support she has received. The actions taken by Maltese civil society are having an important impact," David Casa stated.

MEP Casa will be meeting with Greek officials, legal represtentatives and members of the media later today.