Two key figures under investigation as part of the ‘Straw Men’ operation, whose final stage was carried out in Thessaloniki from the evening of Thursday, 5 November 2026, under the coordination of the competent prosecutorial authorities, are still being sought by AADE’s Financial Transactions Control Forces (DEOS) and the Hellenic Police, a statement said.
They are businesspeople active in the nightlife and food service sectors who are being investigated over possible involvement in a case of unpaid taxes and social security contributions.
On Friday, 6 November 2026, information about the ‘Straw Men’ operation was published in two consecutive reports on a particular website while the operation was under way. The reports included references to the individuals being sought, identified by their initials.
The same reports also named AADE officials who had travelled to Thessaloniki to coordinate the investigations, detentions for questioning and arrests. Publication of this information could have affected the smooth conduct of the operation and created risks to the safety of the officials involved.
Immediately after the information was published, AADE Governor George Pitsilis contacted the Minister for Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, seeking assistance from the competent police authorities to locate and bring in for questioning the individuals being sought.
He also informed the Supreme Court Prosecutor about the reports and filed a criminal complaint against any person responsible with the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office, asking it to investigate possible offences of breach of official secrecy, breach of the confidentiality of the preliminary criminal investigation and harbouring a criminal.
Statement by AADE Governor George Pitsilis
“For almost eleven years, as head of the country’s Tax and Customs Administration, I have never taken legal action against a journalist or media outlet over any malicious or insulting criticism, whether directed at me personally or at the Authority’s work.
This case, however, is not about malicious criticism. It concerns the publication of information connected with an operation under way, at a time when critical investigations were still being conducted and specific individuals were being sought. It concerns the effectiveness of the investigations, the securing of evidence and the safety of officials operating in the field.
In a case such as this, the administration has a duty not to stand idly by. It must uphold the law and ensure that inspection services can carry out their mission effectively and without hindrance, without putting the safety of their personnel at risk.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the possibility of information leaks relating to ongoing investigations cannot be treated as inconsequential. Nor can we accept the notion that the effectiveness of audit and law-enforcement bodies is negotiable. No end justifies such means.
Investigating such incidents is not a matter of administrative discretion. It is an institutional obligation.
That is why I filed a criminal complaint with the competent judicial authorities: to ensure that incidents which could affect the administration of justice, the effectiveness of investigations and the protection of the public interest are brought before the judges with jurisdiction and investigated fully and in depth.
The fight against large-scale tax evasion and organised economic crime is not the responsibility of a single agency. It is a matter for the rule of law. And the rule of law does not retreat, is not intimidated and does not compromise. It enforces the law, protects its institutions and trusts in justice.
That is exactly what we did.”