As such, Dinos Michailidis received a sentence of 15 years for money laundering, Michalis Michailidis 15 years for money laundering, Anastasios Sofos was sentenced to life for passive bribery as well as 12 years for money laundering, Maria Sofos, on the other, was sentenced for 12 years for money laundering and Fouad al-Zayat was sentenced to life for active bribery as well as 17 years for money laundering.
According to the charge sheet, the actions of the defendants had facilitated payments by a Syrian-born businessman to Akis Tsochatzopoulos. It should be reminded that Tsochatzopoulos is a founding member of the socialist PASOK party and served as defense minister under the Costas Simitis government between 1996-2001.
The court papers said that The payments were apparently linked to a contract agreed by Tsochatzopoulos during his run in office to supply Greece with Russian made anti-aircraft missiles. All four had denied the charges and their lawyers said they would appeal.
It should also be reminded that Tsochatzopoulos was found guilty and jailed in 2013 for tax fraud and taking kickbacks for various arms deals. During the time of his trial details of lavish spending helped make the corruption case a symbol of the injustice felt by many Greeks who have over the past few years seen their pensions and wages cut on account of the economic crisis.
Michaelides, on the other, served as interior minister to two Cypriot governments. He was extradited to Greece in 2013.
(Referenes: kathimerini, Reuters, HellasFrappe, enikos, to Vima)
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