In the 103 pages of the conclusion compiled by the Prosecutors of First Instance Evg. Kyvelou and El. Siskou, who investigated the assets of the former minister, describes a network of individuals and foreign companies, through dozens of bank accounts in Greece and abroad (and in Cyprus) and fictitious or non-real estate sales, which for more than ten years provides assistance to the former minister to "Erases" the traces of illegal payments.
Prosecutors also criticize the former minister, noting that he "ignores the laws of the state." The way in which Akis Tsochatzopoulos allegedly tries to avoid paying VAT for repairs to Areopagitos's house is described as follows: from the avoidance of payment of an amount of 76.000 euros which is part of the total amount of VAT due for work worth 560.000 euros. The above document is typical for the perception of the persons involved regarding the observance of the laws of the state even in case of relatively small benefit ".
The conclusion of the Prosecutor's Office highlights a group of people who, most of the time without compensation, under the guidance of the former minister, undertake to assist in the operation to convert "black" money into legal one.
The two Prosecutors typically state that the accused "recommended and participated in an organization with the aim of committing money laundering proceeds from the crime of continuing passive bribery against the State".
They also emphasize that this organization has been active for an extremely long time, more than a decade, has carried out numerous transactions to launder revenue and cover up its activities, using foreign companies, law firms in Greece and abroad as well as a number of bank accounts.
"Through the complex network of partners, surrogates, bank accounts, business contacts in various countries who methodically" set up "the above persons, were trafficked, concealed and placed huge sums of money while it does not appear the end of large sums of money which they obviously have in a place and in a form that is not known "is typically mentioned in the conclusion.
Ast. Economides
Asterios Economidis, accused in the case of former Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, was sentenced to pre-trial detention after his long apology before the Special Investigator.
Asterios Economides, against whom an arrest warrant was issued by the investigator of the case, and who surrendered on Thursday morning and asked to apologize, is a key shareholder and CEO of a well-known construction company that was assigned to repair the property in Dion. Areopagitou and also sold an apartment on Deinokratous in Kolonaki to the daughter of the accused former minister.
The accused allegedly denied the charge of money laundering from an illegal activity attributed to him, arguing that the course of the investigation will prove his innocence.
Deadline until Tuesday
The three defendants in the case of A. Tsochatzopoulos received a deadline to apologize on Tuesday from the special investigator Gabriel Malli.
They are Nikolaos Pavlos Zigras of Georgios, cousin of the former minister beneficiary of a foreign company who has been involved in the purchase and sale of the property in Dionysiou Areopagitou, Efrosini Lambropoulou of Elias, accountant and Georgios Sachpatzidis of Dimis.
The above accused, together with Asterios Economidis, face the same accusation as the former minister, which concerns money laundering.
Read the original text of the finding as provided by the Athenian newspaper "Proto Thema"
http://www.protothema.gr/files/1/2012/04/13/tsoxatzopoulos.pdf
SOURCE: Real news & First Issue