ATHENS, October 7 (RAPSI) – Former defense minister of Greece Akis Tsochatzopoulos on Monday was found guilty of money laundering, and is expected to be sentenced on Tuesday.
Besides the minister, his wife Viki Stamati, his daughter and 14 other people were found guilty at the same trial.
The court found the minister guilty of laundering money that were the result of bribery. According to the law, the liability for this crime is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison. The former minster was already sentenced to 8 years in prison for taz evasion, his funds were frozen and his Akropolis mansion seized.
The presiding judge said during the trial that the evidence and witness’ testimonies proved Tsochatzopoulos’ guilt in taking bribes while signing the contracts for TOR-M1 missile systems and submarines in 1997-2001.
The former minister and his accomplices illegally acquired at least 55 millions euro (18 billion Greek drachmas)