New trail of cash found in arms deals investigation
New evidence implicating the former head of procurements at the Defense Ministry, Yiannis Sbokos (photo), in the acceptance of bribes in order to seal arms procurements has emerged, Kathimerini understands.
A magistrate investigating ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos for money laundering believes he has traced 12 million euros which was transferred through a network of offshore companies before ending up at a company, Clavis International, they believe was used to launder the money.
The funds have been linked to the purchase of the Russian-made TOR-M1 missile defense system, which was purchased when Tsochatzopoulos was at the Defense Ministry.
Investigators believe that the money was deposited by businessman Vlassis Kambouroglou, who was found dead in his hotel room in Jakarta last October. Kambouroglou was the head of Drumilan International, which was involved in the sale of the TOR-M1 missile system.
Sources said magistrate Gavriil Malis has no doubt that the 12 million euros were paid as bribes. The information gathered will be used to bring separate charges against suspects, independently of the Tsochatzopoulos trial currently taking place. It is expected that Sbokos and other suspects will be called to give further testimony this month.
