Greece freezes assets of leading Trade Unionist in money laundering probe

Greece’s Authority for Money Laundering has frozen the bank accounts, safe deposit boxes and shareholdings of a prominent trade unionist, as well as those of six other individuals and six companies, as part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes, authorities said.

The head of the authority, Charalambos Vourliotis, a former deputy prosecutor of the Supreme Court, ordered the measures following an inquiry into suspected embezzlement of more than €73 million in funds originating from the Greek state and the European Union. The money was allocated to seven education and training programmes, according to the authority.

Vourliotis has forwarded the case file to the competent prosecutor, citing indications of felony offenses including embezzlement and money laundering.

Authorities also ordered the freezing of two properties linked to those under investigation. Further details have not been disclosed as the judicial process is ongoing.