Makis Yiannousakis

An investigating magistrate on Tuesday issued two arrest warrants against two Turkish nationals in connection with the organization and funding behind the smuggling of 2 tons of heroin into Greece aboard the Noor 1 cargo ship in 2014.

The two Turks had been mentioned during testimony by Makis Yiannousakis who is serving a life sentence in connection with the heroin haul.

Defense Minister Panos Kammenos will appear before Parliament's Institutions and Transparency Committee in September to answer MPs' questions about his conversations with convict Makis Yiannousakis, the owner of the Noor 1 cargo ship involved in a major heroin smuggling operation in 2014.

Greece's left-led government has come under fire from the opposition in the wake of reports and leaked audio of an alleged telephone conversation between Defense Minister Panos Kammenos and Makis Yiannousakis, a former shipowner who is currently serving life in prison in connection with the Noor 1 heroin smuggling case.