Viki Stamati

Four prison guards in charge of guarding Viki Stamati, the spouse of jailed ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos who escaped in the early hours of Thursday from a mental health facility, were arrested on the same day. All four were expected to face a local prosecutor on Thursday.

Viki Stamati, the wife of jailed ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, has escaped from custody at the Dromokaeiteio mental health facility, authorities said on Thursday morning.

Stamati?s disappearance was discovered at 5.45 by staff members. She escaped just hours after her latest appeal for release from jail was turned down by judicial authorities.

Ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, currently serving a 20-year sentence after being found guilty of accepting millions of euros in bribes in exchange for defense deals and money laundering, on Tuesday appeared before judges to back the appeals of his wife, Viki Stamati, and daughter, Areti Tsochatzopoulou, for early release from their respective 12-year sentences in connection with the s

Viki Stamati, the wife of former Defense Minister Akis Tzochatzopoulos, both serving time in prison along for laundering millions of euros in kickbacks from defense contracts, is in hospital after suffering a serious head injury.

A council of appeal court judges has refused a request by Viki Stamati, the wife of former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, for the rest of her prison sentence to be suspended.

The five-member panel ruled that Stamati should continue to serve her 12-year sentence from last year until her appeal is heard.

The appeal hearings are due to begin soon.