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Greek media published today a list of the names of participants in Greek political life, who have been subject to investigation by the Economic Police in the last two years.

It contains the names of present and former chairmen, of political leaders like Panos Kamenos (from Independent Greeks) and Nikos Kostandopoulos (from Synaspismos, now SYRIZA) and of the former mayor of Athens and a present member of New Democracy Nikitas Kaklamanis. The names of the members of the group close to former Minister of Defence Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is in prison at present, and of the former secretary of PASOK Michalis Karhimakis are also on the list. Among the names is that of a present vice president of the Greek Parliament, Athanassios Nakos, who asked the Economic Prosecutor Grigoris Peponis to speed up the investigation. The list has made it clear that the verification of his financial data began in March this year.

The list indicates 36 names in total. The local divisions of the Financial and Economic Crime Unit as well as the office in Thessaloniki and the headquarters in Athens are carrying out the inspections in the areas of the Peloponnese, Central Greece, North Aegean, Thessaly.

Among the investigated are the names of Parliament president Evangelos Meimarakis and former ministers Michalis Liapis and George Voulgarakis, who are under investigation for tax evasion and illegal profiteering through the purchase and selling of real estate in 2005-2008. In the case of George Voulgarakis, the economic prosecutor and his deputy, Spyros Mouzakitis have ordered the opening of his and his wife’s bank accounts after 18 July 2012.

The list has caused serious turmoil at a political and social level as well as various comments and interpretations although it is only about an investigation, which will show whether the political persons have committed in fact illegal acts or not.

Parties and individual deputies have called for the disclosure of the names of investigated politicians to stop the rumours that threw discredit on all representatives of political life.

What is known so far is that the bank accounts of some politicians were open. For others, especially when the reason for an investigation was citizens’ complaints for illegal profiteering of politicians, court files were registered that are to be heard in court. As for the third group of cases, the prosecution brought them to the Financial and Economic Crime Unit.

Here are the names of the politicians who are under investigation:

Panos Kamenos - The leader of Independent Greeks is under investigation for the time when he was a regular member of New Democracy. The reason is property in the region of Itea and Galaxidi. A prosecutor’s decision to open his bank accounts has been already made.

Nikitas Kalamanis – The deputy from New Democracy is being investigated for the time, when he was the mayor of Athens. The investigation against him was initiated after filing a complaint to the Financial and Economic Crime Unit in June 2012. The charges in it were related to the preliminary investigation for the commission of illegal acts in the municipal radio station Athens 9.84. His tax returns and bank accounts in foreign banks are to be investigated.

Athanassios Nakos –The deputy chairman of Parliament has been under investigation since 15 March this year. The investigation is at the data collection stage.

Evangelos Meimarakis – The Financial and Economic Crime Unit has started an investigation after complaints were filed in the offices of the Unit.

George Voulgarakis – The former Minister of Public Order, Culture and Shipping is under investigation on the basis of a complaint filed. The check is in its initial stage.

Michalis Liapis – The former Minister of Transport and Culture is under investigation for profiteering based on a complaint filed.

Aris Spiliotopoulos - The investigation of the member of New Democracy started following a complaint made by a citizen. The Unit required that the relevant tax administration present the data for the source of the income declared by him and for his bank account transactions.

Michalis Karhimakis – A complaint for profiteering was filed against the former secretary of the National Council of PASOK, which indicated that he owns three hotels in Ierapetra in Crete. According to the complainant, he is not probably stated as the owner in the documentation.

Spilios Spiliotopoulos – The former member of New Democracy is under investigation for the period 2004-2005, when he was Minister of Defence.

Nikos Kostandopoulos – Former chairman of the party Synaspismos (now SYRIZA).

Elizabeth Vozenberg – The investigation against the former deputy of New Democracy has been ongoing since 2010 after complaints on charges of tax evasion were filed.

George Orfanos – The former member of New Democracy is investigated for the period from 2004 to 2007when he was Deputy Minister of Sport.
 
Marina Chrisoveloni – The investigation against the deputy of Independent Greeks is at the data collection stage.

Yiannos Papantoniou – Former Minister of Finance and Economy in two PASOK governments. An investigation against him and his wife has been underway following the orders of prosecutors. The Economic Police is waiting to receive details of their bank accounts.

Antonis Bezas – The investigation against the deputy of Thesprotia started on the basis of a complaint from a citizen.