“To Choriatiko”: Alleged leader of criminal organization remanded in custody

The head of the “To Choriatiko” chain was ordered into pre-trial detention following his testimony.

The man accused of leading the criminal organization was sent to prison with the agreement of both the investigating judge and the prosecutor.

According to information, the main defendant continues to argue that the case is not criminal in nature but instead concerns a series of tax violations. He reportedly maintains that he never concealed taxable income and, therefore, that the offence of fraud is not established. He also claims that his intention was to place his companies’ outstanding debts under repayment arrangements, as he had done on several occasions.

In his written defence memorandum, he also reportedly stresses that his aim was always to develop his companies and that he never sought to evade his financial obligations to the Greek state.

Five defendants remanded in custody

During today’s proceedings, which are expected to be lengthy, a total of 30 arrested individuals have been summoned to testify. Five of them have so far been ordered into pre-trial detention.

It should be noted that the remaining 29 arrested individuals have been summoned to testify tomorrow.

Because of the exceptionally large number of defendants who must provide explanations within a limited timeframe of just a few days, two assistant investigating judges have been assigned to the case in addition to the regular investigating judge handling it, in order to speed up proceedings.

The case file, which exceeds 500 pages, includes a large number of individuals and extends beyond the alleged members of the ring. Public-sector employees and police officers have also come under scrutiny, as they are suspected of facilitating the group under investigation for tax evasion and money laundering through businesses, including bakery chains.

Public employees and police officers under scrutiny

According to information cited so far by ERT, the case file is expected to be forwarded to the Hellenic Police Internal Affairs Service so that the role of state employees mentioned in the investigation can be examined.

Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis also referred to the case while speaking on the ERTnews programme “Sto Kentro”.

Asked specifically whether public officials may have been involved, the minister did not rule out that possibility, stressing that the investigation would proceed in relation to any individual for whom relevant evidence emerges.

The individuals under scrutiny reportedly include employees of inspection authorities who allegedly either overlooked violations or provided advance warning of forthcoming inspections.

In conversations among members of the group, some of these officials were allegedly referred to by code names such as “godchildren”, “our people”, “cousins” and “aunts”.

According to the case file, the employees being investigated worked for the tax authorities, the national social security agency EFKA and the Labour Inspectorate.

Particular interest has also focused on the code word “lipsticks”, which was allegedly used to refer to gifts given to public employees.

According to the investigation, in some cases this was not merely a code word but referred to actual gifts, including expensive cosmetics and perfumes. In return, the recipients allegedly facilitated the group either by failing to record violations or by warning them in advance of inspections.

Two police officers under investigation

The authorities are also seeking to establish the identity of two police officers who allegedly had contact with members of the ring.

One of them reportedly acted as an informant, providing advance notice of inspections at the businesses.

A second police officer is being investigated over information that he allegedly received €1,500 from one of the defendants, although the reason for the transaction has not yet been clarified.

The investigation may also extend to a third member of the Hellenic Police.

According to the information under examination, this officer allegedly warned the 57-year-old man whom the authorities consider a central figure in the case that his arrest was imminent.

The 57-year-old then allegedly tried to evade capture by repeatedly changing hideouts, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

“The Big One”, “Daddy” and the 47-year-old associate

The case file identifies the 57-year-old owner of the “To Choriatiko” chain and other bakery businesses as the alleged head of the ring.

In conversations among members, he was reportedly referred to by the nicknames “The Big One” and “Daddy”.

A 47-year-old woman also allegedly played a key role. She is described as a close associate of the 57-year-old and is said to have been responsible for handling difficult situations.

One such case concerned a workplace accident that occurred several months ago at a store on Syngrou Avenue.

According to the case file, the 47-year-old contacted a senior Labour Inspectorate official and subsequently instructed an associate to purchase perfumes and lipsticks for at least ten public employees who were due to take part in the relevant inspection.

The authorities are investigating whether this practice was repeated and whether expensive gifts were provided whenever intervention or favourable treatment was required.

As part of the investigation, possible financial flows to public employees are also expected to be examined in order to determine whether part of the alleged illegal proceeds ended up in their hands.