Policemen "roofed" brothels and gambling clubs: 19 people arrested

4 police officers (3 officers), 3 special security guards and 2 firefighters are being investigated in the case of a group that provided protection for brothels and underground gambling clubs.

A total of 19 people have been arrested in this case so far, including a police officer and 3 special security guards. Based on data obtained from the official statement of the National Police, the total number of uniformed people involved in this criminal organization is 13 people, including eleven police officers and two firefighters.

How to find gang members

While observing special guards involved in the activities of a criminal organization, investigators from the Anti-Corruption Department noticed that they were moving in a certain pattern.

Regarding the special guard with the initials P.M. it is reported that on 04/30/2024, 05/08/2024 and 05/13/2024 he left the “main headquarters” and successively visited the ATMs of four banks. This movement was suspicious as cameras saw him using bank cards and, referring to handwritten notes, withdrawing numerous cash.

To find out exactly what he was doing, investigators determined that the amount withdrawn amounted to €57,600 in just three days. However, lifting the secrecy of bank deposits not only showed who owned the cards, but also made it possible to identify other defendants associated with shell companies.

“Having completed the cycle of movements “main headquarters” – ATM – “main headquarters”, he found himself in one of the buildings in Argyroupoli. There he picked up envelopes or packages that he left in this place, as he left empty-handed.

This police officer enjoyed the absolute trust of the organization’s leadership, and was also responsible for protecting the house of the deputy head of the criminal organization. The transmittal note states the following: “He hired police officers and firefighters to guard the first deputy chief’s home.”

His conversation with another person is also indicative: “Take several policemen to place them in the house. Okay, I'll take another one, I have others, let's not stoop to that. There is no need to bring anyone and burn us. No, man, no. These are my people. I don't bring people I don't know.”

Police officer for… escorting “black cash”

Other officers are said to have accompanied the black cash, with one of them being the deputy chief's personal security guard and promoted to the position of chief's security guard. In a conversation on October 4, 2024, he was heard to say: “One of them left his job and was fired. Another worked for his boss for four years and stole money from him. He was the boss, so to speak, but now he has promoted me to his position.”

Another officer with the initials PP was responsible for security at headquarters and the personal protection of the second deputy chief. They are now being asked to give their own answers to the charges leveled against them in the heavy indictment that was filed after criminal charges were filed against them.

What are those arrested accused of?

It may be recalled that in the early hours of Friday, a coordinated operation led to the identification and arrest of 19 people in connection with the case, including the gang leader, police officers and three special police guards.

A case was brought against them for criminal organization by chance, bribery and bribery of an official for acts contrary to his duties, breach of duty, fraud against the Greek state causing damage in excess of 120,000 euros, as well as violation of money laundering laws, weapons, racketeering, illegal games and drugs.

Statements by Chrysochoidis in this case

At a press conference held on January 13 on the issue of sworn police officers, the responsible minister, Michalis Chrysochoidis, also touched on this topic, stating that corrupt uniformed officers, corrupt government officials are constantly identified during investigations conducted by the Internal Investigation Service, and in this case, the accused police officers “had a sense of impunity and a feeling that 'they are under a serious roof,' like many public servants, 'and therefore difficult to get to.'”

However, according to him, “It is very, very optimistic for the law and for society that the doubling of the number of complaints means: mouths open, as in the case of other crimes… Obviously this requires a constant fight, and it is obvious that corruption is not something that was born yesterday, and not only in our country, but you need to worry and worry where there is silence.

“We are constantly taking (on the one hand) measures to improve legislation, and on the other, eliminating bureaucracy so that contact between officials and citizens is reduced, and relations between citizens and the state work more directly.”concluded the Minister for Citizen Protection.

Continued in publication Corruption in the Greek police: new details

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