Magistrates extend probe after Tsochatzopoulos ruling
Just a few days after a landmark ruling sentenced former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos to 20 years in jail for laundering millions of euros in kickbacks from two defense deals, the magistrates who brought the case against the ex-socialist strongman are seeking access to several bank accounts believed to hold even more bribe money, Kathimerini understands.
The conviction last week of Tsochatzopoulos and another 16 people related to 55 million euros in kickbacks.
The magistrates, Gavriil Mallis and Yiannis Stavropoulos, are now reportedly seeking millions more believed to have been siphoned off from the same two major deals – the purchase of a Russian missile defense system and German submarines.
Officials have already called Yiannis Sbokos – the ministry’s former head of procurements who was sentenced to 16 years last week – for more testimony.
Mallis, meanwhile, is expected to travel to Switzerland to press requests for the opening of more bank accounts.
