Former Greek defense minister in court on money laundering charges

ATHENS, Greece, April 22 (UPI) -- Former Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and 18 others were in court Monday to face charges of accepting bribes and money laundering, officials said.

Tsochatzopoulos and the other defendants are accused of taking bribes as part of the process of awarding procurement contracts, ekathimerini.com reported.

The case is focused on two deals that occurred while Tsochatzopoulos was in office from 1996 and 2001 -- the contract for the TOR M1 missile defense system and the purchase of submarines for the Hellenic Navy.

Prosecutors alleged more than $208 million in bribes were paid out as part of the two contracts. Tsochatzopoulos has denied the allegations.

Because of the statute of limitations for offenses committed by politicians, Tsochatzopoulos cannot be tried for accepting bribes. However, he can be tried for money laundering. Prosecutors alleged this offense continued after he left office.

With the help of former Defense Ministry official Yiannis Sbokos and others, Tsochatzopoulos allegedly laundered money he received as bribes using offshore companies, prosecutors said.

If convicted of the money laundering charges, Tsochatzopoulos, 73, faces a possible 20 years in prison.