Tsochatzopoulos trial to resume, objections expected
The trial of former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who has been accused of laundering money obtained from bribes, is to resume Wednesday and the ex-PASOK veteran’s legal team is expected to voice a series of objections to the charges against him.
On April 22, Tsochatzopoulos went on trial with another 18 suspects, including his wife Viki Stamati, in what is the first court case of this magnitude against a key political figure in Greece since 1991. The ex-minister denies that he accepted bribes as part of deals for defense contracts.
The head of his legal team, Leonidas Kotsalis, is expected to argue that the charges against Tsochatzopoulos cannot stand. Other defendants are also expected to challenge the prosecutor’s case against them.
The trial is expected to last several months but will likely be wrapped up by October when the maximum 18-month pretrial custody of Tsochatzopoulos and other suspects expires.
