Cyprus ex-minister to testify next week in Greek graft case

A former Cyprus government minister appeared in an Athens court on Friday and will re-appear next week to testify in a major graft case that has seen the arrest of former Defence Minister and socialist Pasok leader-in-the-making Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The Greek minister, who had led a power struggle to head the historic party and become prime minister, is facing corruption charges, together with 19 others, for money laundering from major defense deals including submarines from Germany.

Tsohatzopoulos is alleged to have used a front company, registered in Cyprus by former Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides, a practising corporate lawyer.

The company was used, according to court documents, to conceal cash commissions, while it also appears as the owner of a luxury home in the heart of Athens where Tsohatzopoulos used to live. His wife and daughter have also been implicated in the case.

Michaelides was extradited from Cyprus on Thursday, the first such case of a Cypriot having to appear in an EU court. His testimony will be heard on Wednesday. His son, Michalis, also a lawyer in the family firm, is fighting a second extradition order.