N17 loot paying for defense?
The prosecution in the November 17 trial wound up its case against the defendants yesterday in a typically stormy session with deputy prosecutor Vassilis Markis implying that defense lawyers were being paid with the proceeds from the group’s bank robberies. «The group’s notebooks for 1991-95 show a certain level of expenditure,» Markis said, «which is small compared to the proceeds from bank robberies. What happened to the rest? The thought has crossed my mind that it may have contributed to the existence of a costly and multitudinous defense team.» This drew a broadside from defense lawyers. Yiannis Rahiotis, who represents Alexandros Yotopoulos, claimed the alleged N17 mastermind’s companion is thinking of selling her house to cover the Paris-born translator’s defense costs. Markis apologized but pointed out that seized N17 documents say the group should pay for a lawyer for any of its members that were arrested. The trial continues on Monday, with lawyers representing victims and surviving targets of the group taking the stand.
