Akis Tsochatzopoulos

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.

An Athens court hearing the appeal of ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos against his prison term for money laundering has accepted the former PASOK veteran?s request for the members of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) from 1998 to 1999 to be called as witnesses.

A council of appeals court judges decided on Thursday that 32 people, including former politicians, businessmen, soldiers, bankers and arms traders, should stand trial in connection to bribes allegedly paid to secure the sale of four submarines from Germany to the Greek Navy.

A prosecutor recommended on Wednesday that the Athens court hearing the appeal of ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos against his prison term for money laundering should accept the former PASOK veteran?s request for the members of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) from 1998 to 1999 to be called as witnesses.

Ex-prime minister Costas Simitis and current PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, both witnesses in the appeal of ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos against his prison term for money laundering, will give their testimonies on May 13, an Athens court ruled Wednesday.

Cyprus's former interior minister and his son were jailed in Greece on Wednesday for helping a leading Greek politician take millions of euros in kickbacks from arms deals, according to court officials and documents.

Dinos Michaelides [photo] and his son Michalis were found guilty of money laundering and each sentenced to 15 years in prison, court officials told Reuters.

The former general secretary for military procurements Yiannis Sbokos, who is serving time in jail after being convicted of money laundering, is being blackmailed by a fellow felon, according to a case file prepared by the police.

An Athens prosecutor on Thursday asked for former Cypriot Interior Minister Dinos Michailidis (photo) and his son, Michalis, to be found guilty for their alleged involvement in a case involving kickbacks from defense deals.

Former Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has already been convicted for his alleged role in the money laundering network.

Akis Tsochatzopoulos, in jail for money laundering, has asked for all the members of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) when he was defense minister to be called in his appeal trial.

The ex-PASOK stalwart believes that their testimony will help prove that he did not accept millions in kickbacks when he secured armaments deals.