"Choriátiko" case: Provisional detention for Giannakopoulos and Rízos in €100 million fraud
Seven remanded in custody following the first round of hearings in a tax fraud case involving public losses exceeding €100 million.
Seven jailed after first round of hearings in the "Choriátiko" case
Businessman Angelos Giannakopoulos, former powerful union leader of GENOP DEI Rizos Rízos, and five other defendants have been remanded in custody following the first round of hearings in a major economic fraud case against the state, calculated at over €100 million. The news is reported by To Vima.
In total, 30 defendants were questioned before investigating magistrates the previous day. Of these, 23 were released, with only seven deemed to remain in provisional detention.
The profile of the fraud: from bakeries to entertainment venues
The case bears the codename "Choriátiko" and concerns dozens of corporate structures that operated in bakeries, entertainment centres, catering and beach concessions. It was uncovered by a special task force established more than a year ago by the Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, aimed at dismantling criminal economic organisations.
According to the findings of prosecuting authorities, Giannakopoulos himself was behind the complex corporate structures, whilst the Financial Crime Investigation Unit participated in the coordinated investigation.
Brief statement by Giannakopoulos — denied serious charges
Angelos Giannakopoulos's statement was brief. According to reports, he denied the serious charges he faces, acknowledging only that tax fraud was committed, which he declared his intention to remedy. However, the investigating magistrates ruled that damage exceeding €100 million against the state could not be addressed with such a claim, and ordered his provisional detention.
The businessman's son was released on bail. During his hearing, he argued that he did not participate in decision-making regarding the corporate structures, attributing the central role to his father — something which was deemed to be corroborated by the findings of prosecuting authorities and the Financial Crime Investigation Unit.
Rízos Rízos also jailed
Rizos Rízos, a former powerful union leader at DEI, who appears as a close collaborator of Giannakopoulos in his business ventures, was also remanded in custody. Rízos too denied the charges, though this did not alter the investigating magistrates' decision. Five other individuals were taken into custody who, according to the findings, participated in various ways in the formation and operation of the criminal corporate structures.
Three investigating magistrates — hearings to continue
The hearings have not been completed. Three investigating magistrates have been assigned to the case to meet the legal deadline: the law stipulates a maximum of five days from arrest for a judicial decision to be issued regarding the remand or release of each defendant.
Investigations by both the Justice authorities and the Financial Crime Investigation Unit are proceeding in full. In parallel, the competent prosecuting authorities are examining other cases of a similar nature.
Source: To Vima