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Friday, 29 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-02Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Full investigation into Siemens caseA full investigation into the Siemens slush funds scandal in Greece began on Wednesday, with 4th special examining magistrate Nikos Zagorianos in charge. The investigation will focus on the company's contracts with Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and the C4I surveillance system installed by the Greek state for the Olympic Games, while further judicial investigations into other transactions involving the major multinational's activities in Greece may be pending.Later in the day, Zagorianos will receive an evidence file containing more than 30 dossiers, put together by First-instance court public prosecutor Panagiotis Athanassiou concerning OTE and the C4I system. Athanassiou ended a preliminary inquiry on Tuesday and confirmed that offences had been committed, pressing charges against "all parties responsible" for repeated counts of passive and active bribery, both individually and in collaboration with others, at the expense of the public sector (for the C4I system) and OTE. He said the gain for the perpetrators and, conversely, the damage caused or threatened to the injured parties, was in excess of 150,000 euros. He also pressed charges for the legalising of income from illegal activities, or money-laundering, and for moral instigation and direct collusion in money-laundering. During his investigation, the prosecutor questioned approximately 40 people as potential suspects for offences committed in connection with the case. It is now up to the magistrate heading the full investigation to press charges against the specific individuals charged with specific offences. Further allegations of suspect dealings by Siemens in Greece, concerning its contracts with Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), the sale of Patriot missiles and a defence system called Hermes, will form part of a separate case that is to be investigated further. Athanassiou first received orders to conduct a probe into the case in 2006. A few months ago, he had headed a team of Greek public prosecutors to Germany and Switzerland in order to share evidence uncovered by local judicial investigations into the case. Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of Siemens' headquarters in Greece. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |