A Greek prosecutor decided on Monday to jail a former defence minister pending trial on money laundering charges in the most high-profile case against a politician in decades of corruption scandals. Corruption and cronyism are endemic in Greece, but no politician has been tried or convicted in recent years, something that has fuelled popular frustration with established parties ahead of a general election on May 6.
"The prosecutor and the judge both decided (on) a pre-trial detention for ex-defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos," a court official said on condition of anonymity. He has been detained at police headquarters since his April 11 arrest and will be sent to jail on Tuesday, the official said.
Tsohatzopoulos, who has held various portfolios including defence since the 1980s, faces felony charges in relation to property deals and possible tax violations. "He denied any wrongdoing to the judge today," a source close to Tsohatzopoulos told Reuters.