Probe into graft on Greek railways
Officers from Greece’s financial crimes squad began investigating records at all of Greece’s main railway stations yesterday amid claims that the reason behind a collision between a passenger train and a freight train earlier this week was that the latter was made up of extra wagons that were being used to transport goods illegally. It is suspected that about a dozen extra cars were added to the freight train, amid allegations that goods are being moved via Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) trains without the knowledge and approval of some officials. Officers of the Special Investigations Service started their probe at OSE’s main freight hub on the Thriasio Plain, west of Athens, but checks are also taking place at a number of key railway stations. They began by looking into how the extra carriages that were discovered after the crash near Bralos in central Greece on Monday found their way onto the railway without any kind of paperwork. Officers will also visit OSE’s headquarters in their search for any wrongdoing. Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis said that «no mercy» would be shown to those involved in any corrupt practices. He has alleged that some OSE employees working with individuals outside the firm forged official signatures on contracts for the transport of goods on the railway system. It is suspected that the the alleged under-the-table deals could be worth some 10 million euros. The investigators will look into records going back to 2004 but will focus on last year in particular, according to sources.
