Businessman answers to bribery, money laundering charges over defense deal

Greek businessman Thomas Liakounakos faced an investigating magistrate on Friday in connection to answer to bribery and money laundering charges linked to a defense deal.

According to sources, the businessman was to submit a written deposition and offer additional verbal explanations with regard to a Monaco-based offshore firm in his name.

He was arrested earlier this week after a probe launched by a prosecutor found that an alleged 2-million-euro bribe for an airborne early warning system that Greece purchased in 1999 passed through an offshore company in his name.

His son Nikos Liakounakos was released from custody on Thursday after being briefly detained over unpaid taxes earlier in the day. Sources indicated that following his arrest provided evidence that his tax arrears had been settled with tax authorities.