Greek authorities have cracked down a network of corrupt police officers who were offering “protection” to brothels and illegal casinos. According to media, the network was offering protection to some 350 brothels, 250 studios and 300 illegal casinos in Attica and had a turnover of about 1 million euros per month.
Investigation into the network started in 2015 by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) that had excluded the Greek Police. EYP had transferred the results of its investigation to the Super Court Prosecutor in December 2016 that on its turn forwarded the file to the Prosecutor in charge of Corruption Crimes for further investigation.
The case came to light last week by newspaper parapolitika following a call to testify to a total of 30 people, including former and current police officers, lawyers, businessmen and one journalist.
The case is mainly based on the investigation conducted by the EYP that intercepted phone calls and conducted also physical surveillance.
Main coordinator of the network was a businessman who was murdered in Haidari suburb of western Athens in October 2019. At the time of his assassination, he was accompanied by two police officers.
The network was reportedly operating since 2014 in and outside Attica.
The network had reportedly apparently also connections to the some people in the Parliament as well as to the so-called “deep state.”
“Citizens, politicians and police officers in corruption networks and the deep state will be prosecuted and punished,” Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chryssochoidis warned on Saturday.
“The reports in the press about the activity of a deep state, operating for years before the current government, are horrifying,” the minister said, describing “a deep state including unheard-of actions by politicians, citizens and high-level Hellenic Police officers.”
“The Hellenic Police will prosecute and expel all those who are corrupt and continue to believe they may participate in corruption and illegality,” Chrysochoidis stressed. He pointed out that that the chiefs of police have been collaborating with court officials on the issue.
Investigation continues.
