More exactly, and based on new evidence that surfaced following an extensive judicial investigation, the case concerns the supply of AS 332 Super Puma helicopters for the Hellenic Air Force in 2000. The relevant documents, of which have apparently been sent to the Greek Parliament, will now be examined (and determine) whether or not the President of LAOS included these two companies (as well as the shady remittances) in his "pothen esches" (or origin of wealth statement), and if he also included the two offshore accounts which were unknown until today.
It has to be noted that Karatzaferis was not an MP when this transaction apparently occurred (he was ousted by the ND party prior to this incident.)
At least one remittance has already been identified in one of these two offshore accounts.
This is the first time that offshore companies have been identified and directly been linked to a party leader.
The payments were made by the Kestrel company, which includes shareholders such as Alexander Tsatsos and Stavros Komnopoulos. Following Th. Liakounakou's AXON company, it is reported that Kestrel is the second largest company that manufacturers various weapon systems. The company is said to also be involved in other industries such as the health sector (Metropolitan hospital), as well as invests heavily in yacht companies.
It should be reminded that the former deputy director of armaments at the Ministry of National Defense, Antonis Kantas, has already testified that he was bribed by a total of 10 weapons dealers, or representatives of defence system companies, with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Euros in kickbacks.
During Kantas’s first testimony to magistrates, in mid-December 2013 (check links below), he had implicated many names in this MEGA scandal, but he had also described how senior politicians, even from the same party, often took differing positions over defense contracts during public debates. For instance, when the purchase of new fighter planes was being discussed in the Greek Parliament, and according to Kantas' testimony, some Greek politicians would support one tender more than the other.
As mentioned above, S. Komnopoulos, who is a major shareholder at Kestrel, has been noted by Kantas and reported to be involved in this armaments scandal.
After the news about the two offshore accounts hit the press, George Karatzeferis said he did not deny the ownership of the two offshore accounts but stated, (in his own defence), that he does not know A. Tsatsos and S. Komnopoulos.
Stay tuned Frappers, the plot is thickening day by day.
Reference in Greek - Defencenet
If you want to find out more about this scandal then we propose that you also read:
BUSTED - Greece SUES German Arms Manufacturer For Faulty Submarines
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/06/busted-greece-sues-german-arms.html
Kantas faces new bribery & money laundry charges in arms scandal
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/02/kantas-faces-new-bribery-money-laundry.html
PLOT THICKENS - Head of German Industry Lobby Implicated in Greek Arms Scandal
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/01/plot-thickens-head-of-german-industry.html
ARMS SCANDAL: Did Kantas Implicate Former PM Mitsotakis?
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/02/arms-scandal-was-former-pm-mitsotakis.html
SHOCK - 24 million Euros Kickback Given To Government Minister!
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/01/shock-24-million-euros-kickback-given.html
Armaments Scandal - Shipowner Michalis Matados Charged Of Money Laundering
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/01/armaments-scandal-shipowner-michalis.html
More Arrested Over Bribery & Kickbacks Claims In Arms Deals
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/01/more-arrested-over-bribery-kickbacks.html
Russian Arms Exporter Denies Links to Greek Arms Bribe Scandal
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2014/01/russian-arms-exporter-denies-links-to.html
SPECIAL REPORT - Kantas EXPOSES Massive German-Greek Web of Corruption In Defence Contracts
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.gr/2013/12/special-report-kantas-exposes-massive.html
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