Already asking for the conviction and a life sentence for former defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos on money laundering and corruption charges, Greek prosecutors said they had a mountain of irrefutable proof of his insatiable greed to steal untold millions of euros from defense contracts and try to to hide through an elaborate scheme involving foreign accounts and offshore companies.
One of the prosecutors, Argyro Fanouraki, referred to a “mass of solid evidence” against Tsochatzopoulos, who they said used his stolen fortune to spend lavishly and buy a mansion under the Acropolis, a home the government confiscated.
Another 18 people, including the ex-defense minister’s wife, have also been charged and prosecutors have called for all but two to be convicted. “Those opportunists didn’t consider the law against money laundering waiting for them around the corner,” remarked another prosecutor, Dionysis Kolovos. Tsochatzopoulos reacted angrily when the latter mentioned him by name, retorting, “You should say minister; we’re not buddies.”
The trial is to resume next week with a summing up by defense lawyers. Tsochatzopoulos has denied all wrongdoing to all the charges and said he’s the victim of a political conspiracy to get him. A verdict is expected next month.
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