Y. Papantoniou, another ex-defence minister probed for foul play!

Former defence minister Yiannos Papantoniou is being accused of foul play over the purchase of ‘Leopard’ tanks by the Greek armed forces. The prosecutor for corruption, Eleni Raikou, on Friday forwarded the case that was built up over an investigation carried over several months and resulting in criminal charges against 13 individuals.

Papantoniou succeeded the now-jailed former socialist PASOK minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos at the defence ministry. Investigations of possible criminal liability relate to the period from October 2001 through to March 2004 and concern an offset benefits contract signed alongside the main contract for the German-made tanks.

Charges were pressed against 12 state officials involved in the contracts as well as a businessman, T. Liakonakos, representing the tanks manufacturer, who is also facing charges in another procurements scandal.

Most of the investigation concerns an inquiry into whether the money from implementing the offset benefits was used to assist the domestic defence industry. The findings of the investigation found that roughly 25 million euros was used by the businessman representing the manufacturer to participate in share capital increases of firms owned by his group of businesses.

The case has now been assigned to an examining magistrate for corruption.