New SCANDAL - Prosecutors Find New Trail Of Bribes In Arms Deals Investigation

Fresh evidence implicating the former head of procurements at the Defense Ministry, Yiannis Sbokos has apparently emerged, in the acceptance of bribes in order to seal arms procurements. According to press reports, a magistrate investigating the case against ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos for money laundering believes he has traced approximately 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, according to Kathimerini, have apparently 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.

The report claimed that magistrate Gavriil Malis has no doubt that the 12 million euros were paid as bribes. The information gathered is going to be used to bring separate charges against suspects, independently of the Tsochatzopoulos trial currently taking place. It is expected that Sbokos and other suspects are expected to be called to give further testimony in the next couple of weeks.