Ex-minister summoned over alleged kickback

Former defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who was granted early release last week on health grounds from Korydallos Prison, where he had been serving time for money laundering, on Wednesday faced an investigating magistrate in connection with another alleged bribe and was released.

Tsochatzopoulos, who was convicted of money laundering in 2013, was summoned to explain himself over an alleged bribe of 773,989 Swiss Francs (664,349 euros) which the 78-year-old former minister is alleged to have been paid for defense contracts and to have subsequently invested in a life insurance policy in Switzerland.

The one-time political heavyweight, who denied any link to the contract, was released after posting bail and was banned from leaving the country.