Jailed ex-minister’s wife escapes from custody at mental health unit
Viki Stamati, the wife of jailed ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, has escaped from custody at the Dromokaeiteio mental health facility, authorities said on Thursday morning.
Stamati’s disappearance was discovered at 5.45 by staff members. She escaped just hours after her latest appeal for release from jail was turned down by judicial authorities.
Stamati was jailed for 12 years along with Tsochatzopoulos, who was convicted of accepting kickbacks as part of arms deals while he was a minister. She has spent 35 months in custody so far and has been receiving mental care for depression since November 2013.