206 million euro fraud in Thessaloniki: What the alleged accountant of the network claimed
The defendant denies participation in the criminal organisation, citing contradictions in the case file. 18 arrests in the largest tax evasion case involving fictitious companies.
Defendant accountant denies involvement in 206 million euro fraud
In.gr reports the defence line of one of the main defendants in the high-profile fraud case involving fictitious companies in Thessaloniki — a case that caused damage exceeding 206 million euros to the State and EFKA.
Following the testimony of Erricos Petilon earlier that same day, the alleged accountant and head of the accounting firm-"headquarters" of the network testified before the 3rd Special Investigating Judge, strongly denying any participation in the establishment or direction of a criminal organisation.
The testimony: "Mere employee for 18 months"
According to information from thestival, the defendant argued that he was hired on 7 June 2024 by the owner of the firm, where he worked for approximately 18 months. He stated that this period did not allow him to gain a full picture of the company's operations or to meet the individuals under investigation.
When his employer retired in January 2025 for health reasons, the defendant claimed that he took over as head of the firm solely to preserve his colleagues' jobs — and not for reasons connected with criminal activity.
The defence: "Glaring contradictions" in the case file
The defendant's side highlighted contradictions in the case material: the client appears in it simultaneously as a simple "straw man" without substantive authority and as "leader" of the organisation — two diametrically opposed roles, according to the defence.
Furthermore, the defence stressed that only three email messages connected to his name were found in the firm's digital evidence. Searches of his residence yielded no incriminating material — no computers were seized.
Request for non-detention on humanitarian grounds
Beyond legal arguments, the defendant raised humanitarian grounds before the Investigating Judge. He is the father of three minor children, with twin daughters aged four who face serious health problems with certified disability of 70%.
His wife is unemployed and, as he argued, his presence at home is a matter of survival for the family, as the children require continuous medical care.
The context of the case
The case is considered one of the largest tax evasion operations in recent years in the country, involving the use of fictitious companies and "front" persons. A total of 18 individuals have been arrested, 16 of whom are being gradually brought before the courts, whilst the investigations by the 3rd Special Investigating Judge of Thessaloniki are in full progress.
Source: In.gr