Prosecutor recommends arraignment of former minister

An appeals court prosecutor has recommended the arraignment of former minister Tassos Mantelis on charges of filing inaccurate declarations of assets statements, a mandatory requirement for Parliament deputies. 

 The prosecutor's proposal was tabled with the council of appellate magistrates. 

 The prosecutor examined a
case file related to the inspection of Mantelis' assets and asset declarations, a probe that commenced after he admitted receiving money from German multinational Siemens in 2000, money deposited in a Swiss bank account opened by family friend G. Tsouganis to facilitate him. 

 The bank account was listed under the code name "A. Rocos." 

 Mantelis served in successive Pasok governments in the 1990s, including the portfolio of transport minister. He has claimed that the money was part of a "campaign contribution" towards his Parliament re-election in 2000.





ANA