Disgraced former defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and 18 other suspects will appear again on May 8 before the three-member panel of the Athens Court of Appeal in their trial for a number of corruption charges, including money-laundering in a scheme to steal from contracts.
All the accused pleaded innocent, except for Nikos Zigras, the first cousin of the former Minister of Defense, who had already confessed his guilt to the investigator. “In this case, that I got into due to Akis Tsochatzopoulos, I apologize to the entire world and I ask the indulgence and the understanding of the judge,” he stated.
Tsochatzopoulos was steadfast in maintaining his innocence. “I absolutely deny the indictment, which systematically attempts to give the impression of a criminal organization laundering money after allegedly bribe of the Minister of Defense. I served as a minister for six years, I did my best in order to have no categories, like this despicable indictment,” he told the court earlier.
He also asked for the release of his wife, Vicky Stamati, who is one of the defendants. “They wanted me, but they arrested my wife,” he said. The court is expected to meet at least twice a week, in order to complete the trial in less than 18 months, which is the maximum length of detention for those who remain in custody.
Tsochatzopoulos was arrested almost 13 months ago and already has received an eight-year jail term for failure to declare his assets in wealth statements required by law.
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