Greek bakery chain owner arrested in €100 million tax-fraud probe
The owner of Greece’s Horiatiko bakery chain has been arrested as part of a months-long investigation into alleged tax fraud estimated to have cost the state more than €100 million, according to Kathimerini.
Aggelos Giannakopoulos was arrested alongside several other suspects, including the company’s head accountant, police announced on Sunday. The accountant is suspected of playing a key role in the alleged criminal organization under investigation.
The case involves suspected offenses including the formation of a criminal organization, fraud against the state, tax evasion and the non-payment of value-added tax (VAT) and social security contributions, Kathimerini reported.
Organized-crime authorities lead investigation
The investigation was launched in January by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, widely known as the “Greek FBI.”
According to Kathimerini, investigators have also examined suspected links between the businessman and alleged pimping and human trafficking activities.
Authorities are investigating allegations that Giannakopoulos controlled strip clubs, was connected to cases of sexual exploitation involving women reportedly advertised through online escort services, and used the bakery chain to launder proceeds.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the arrests do not establish guilt. Further details about the other suspects and the next steps in the judicial proceedings had not been disclosed in the initial police announcement.
