Dafermos remanded after arms deal questioning

Businessman Costas Dafermos, who faces money-laundering charges in connection with an arms deal more than a decade ago, was remanded in custody late on Friday after being questioned by a magistrate.

Dafermos, who is active in the arms trade, is accused of paying Greek officials hundreds of thousands of euros in bribes to secure the sale of Russian-made Kornet anti-tank guided missiles.

During his lengthy deposition on Friday, Dafermos denied any wrongdoing but both the judge and the prosecutor decided that he should be remanded in custody.

Two other suspects, Dafermos’s son and an 80-year-old associate, were released on bail.

Dafermos was arrested on Tuesday after Greek authorities made a breakthrough in their investigation: Swiss and Austrian officials granted a Greek request for information containing several bank accounts in those countries.

Dafermos and his associates are accused of laundering some 3 million euros.