Authorities seek access to ex-minister's foreign bank accounts

A Greek investigative-magistrate has sought the opening of bank accounts held by former Socialist defense minister Yiannos Papantoniou in five European countries, as part of an investigation into charges of money laundering linked to alleged bribes from a state defense contract.

Papantoniou has denied charges according to which he laundered 2.8 million euros in Swiss Francs that he is alleged to have pocketed in exchange for securing a contract in 2003 to upgrade six Hellenic Navy frigates.

According to sources, judicial officials have sent requests to banks in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cyprus and Switzerland, where the former minister is alleged to have bank accounts. 

Papantoniou, who was born in Paris and is a French national, has rejected allegations that his bank accounts in France contain money from illegal activities but has objected to their...