€931,000 seized in Greek basketball match-fixing probe
Police have seized more than €931,000 in cash and a range of electronic devices during an investigation into alleged basketball match-fixing that has led to the arrest of Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) president Vangelis Liolios and five other individuals.
The Hellenic Police (ELAS) said six Greek nationals were arrested under warrants over alleged unlawful interventions in the progress, conduct or outcome of basketball matches. The suspects face charges that include bribery and accepting bribes, with the alleged offences treated as felonies in certain cases.
The investigation is being conducted by the police Organised Crime Division, with searches carried out in the presence of judicial officials.
Cash and electronic equipment seized
Police reported seizing €931,463 in cash, alongside 14 mobile phones, six laptops, 22 USB storage devices, two tablets, two SD memory cards, a memory card, a hard drive and a notebook.
Investigators also recovered three team jerseys, three items of team memorabilia, two player albums and banknotes from various countries.
One of the defendants, a referee, is reportedly preparing to provide documentation to explain the €820,000 allegedly found at his home, maintaining that the money is linked to his business activities.
The suspects have been referred to the competent prosecutorial authority as the judicial investigation continues.
Sports ministry suspends federation funding
Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Vroutsis has ordered the temporary suspension of all state grants to the EOK following the allegations involving figures in Greek basketball administration and refereeing.
Vroutsis has also requested an extraordinary financial inspection of the federation covering the past three fiscal years by the General Directorate of Financial Audits of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.
A separate financial and management audit has been requested from the National Transparency Authority.
The measures represent an immediate financial response to the scandal while the judicial proceedings continue.
Defendants prepare testimony
The six defendants were granted additional time on Thursday to prepare their statements before the examining magistrate.
The first deposition is scheduled for Friday, when one of the accused referees is due to testify. Hearings are expected to resume on Sunday, when Liolios and an alleged associate, a former athlete, are scheduled to appear. The remaining three defendants involved in refereeing are due to give statements on Monday, Oct. 26.
Liolios denies the allegations, according to reports. His defence team is reportedly preparing to challenge two witness statements considered significant by the sports prosecutor. The witnesses are a serving referee and a businessman.
Sources close to the federation president have said both witnesses were named in a complaint he filed in 2022 against four people connected with basketball, alleging serious criminal offences.
The referee scheduled to testify first has also categorically denied the accusations.
Kendrick Nunn reacts to seized items
The investigation has also drawn attention from players in Greek basketball.
Kendrick Nunn, the Panathinaikos star, commented after seeing a photograph published on an international website showing items that police said were seized during searches linked to the case.
“I would like my trophies back, with all due respect,” Nunn wrote in response to the image.
The case continues to cast a spotlight on alleged misconduct in Greek basketball, with further testimony, financial audits and investigative steps expected in the coming days.
Source:AMNA
