Tsochatzopoulos judge set to try Karatzaferis

The judge who tried former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos for money laundering in a trial that put the ex-Socialist stalwart in prison is to lead a probe into LAOS leader Giorgos Karatzaferis, who faces charges of inaccurately declaring 1.6 million euros found in an offshore firm in his name. Christos Katsianis is to undertake the probe following a ruling by the Athens Appeals Court.

Karatzaferis claims the 1.6 million euros was from the repayment of a loan to Alexandros Tsatsos and Stavros Komnopoulos. The two businessmen are arms dealers and the former mediated in a government helicopter purchase.