All six defendants allegedly involved in the corruption ring uncovered in the urban planning and local government sectors were remanded in custody. This followed marathon depositions before the anti-corruption investigator, which began in the morning and lasted several hours, continuing late into the night.
After the lengthy interrogations concluded, the investigator and prosecutor signed warrants for provisional detention both for the couple considered to be the group’s leaders and for the other four defendants, whose case files attribute a critical and pivotal role to them in the criminal activity.
According to the indictment, the organization allegedly profited thousands of euros from its illegal activities, while authorities seized amounts that appear to exceed 330,000 euros.
Most recently, a high-ranking employee of the Galatsi Municipality Building Department appeared before the anti-corruption investigator. Her husband, currently an employee of the Decentralized Administration of Attica and recently dismissed from the Kifissia Urban Planning Department, was questioned earlier.
According to reports, the couple maintains a defiant stance, rejects the charges, and claims they did nothing wrong in connection with their official duties. Certainly, the conversations and meetings between the head and the alleged deputy head, as well as the very large sums of cash found in their possession, are highly incriminating. More than 180,000 euros were found in the woman’s office alone.
The other four defendants are following the same line of defense. Those who have already given their statements have appeared before the prosecutor, but ultimately, after all six statements have been heard, the investigating judge and prosecutor are expected to decide whether or not to remand them in custody.
SOURCE: ERT