The second day of questioning in the case of a large-scale network involving “front” companies and “straw men” ended with the remand in custody of the 33-year-old businessman. The network is alleged to have caused more than €206 million in losses to the state and social security funds.
The 33-year-old, whose alleged involvement is linked to an extensive network of food-service businesses in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, was called to answer questions before the third special examining magistrate. He denied the legal characterisation of the acts alleged against him.
According to findings from the investigation by the AADE, a total of 28 fictitious legal entities were allegedly used between 2018 and 2026 to give the appearance that nine physical food-service outlets were operating.
The indictment’s account of his alleged involvement describes — according to information — a system of successive company changes, in which companies appeared to take over the running of the outlets while their formal management passed to different people with no substantive connection to the actual business activity.
In his statement, he is said to have told the court that his role was limited to public relations, not the management or control of the companies. His claims, however, failed to convince the examining magistrate and prosecutor, who ordered that he be held in pre-trial detention.
Following this development, the number of suspects held in pre-trial detention in the case has risen to two. They are the 34-year-old alleged owner of an accounting firm, who was remanded in custody on the first day of questioning, and the 33-year-old businessman.
Two accused released subject to restrictive conditions
Earlier, two of his co-defendants were questioned and released subject to restrictive conditions: a 39-year-old associate of the businessman and a 51-year-old woman. The first was also ordered to pay €5,000 in bail.
The 39-year-old, who is alleged to have been responsible for staff recruitment and cash payments, denied involvement in the illegal activities, saying he was simply an employee. The woman, who is listed in the case file as a manager or partner in a total of 12 legal entities, is said to have claimed that she signed a document believing it was an employment contract for a job as a cleaner.
She said she later discovered that she was listed as a manager of seven companies with total debts of €1.2 million and as a partner in five others.
The remaining six of those arrested to be questioned tomorrow
The investigation continues tomorrow, when the remaining six of the 16 people arrested are expected to be questioned (the case file includes 1,200 people). They include a 48-year-old lawyer, who was granted a further extension to prepare his defence, and two accountants. Nine defendants have been questioned so far.