Today’s proceedings were marathon-like, with the testimonies of 29 defendants in the massive tax fraud case centered on the “To Horiatiko” bakery chain underway since ten o’clock in the morning. Across both days of hearings, a total of ten defendants have been remanded in custody and sent to prison — among them the chain’s owner, Angelos Giannakopoulos.
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“To Horiatiko”: What the defendants said in their testimonies
The last to be remanded in custody was a female accountant. Her father, a chief accountant, was earlier placed under house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet due to his advanced age and health issues. Today, the so-called “executive arms” of the criminal organization appeared before three examining magistrates — businessmen who acted as front men, accountants, and company employees who handled large sums of money. Most defendants claimed they were simply following orders, in many cases receiving low wages, and insisted they had no connection to the criminal organization.
Close associate of Angelos Giannakopoulos testifies
Among those who testified today was a close associate of Angelos Giannakopoulos from Rhodes, where the criminal organization allegedly established an organized network centered on the exploitation of coastal dining establishments. It is recalled that yesterday, a total of 30 defendants gave their testimonies, of whom seven were remanded in custody — including the chain’s owner and former trade unionist Rizos Rizos — while the remaining 23 were released either with restrictive conditions or unconditionally.
What attorney Dimitrakopoulos said about the “To Horiatiko” chain owner
Earlier, on Friday, October 30, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, the attorney representing “To Horiatiko” chain owner Angelos Giannakopoulos, stated: “Angelos Giannakopoulos accepts his share of responsibility for the offenses of tax evasion and social security contribution evasion.” He specifically emphasized that his client acknowledges the portion of liability attributable to him regarding these offenses. He also pledged that, once the amounts owed are finalized by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and the Social Security Fund (EFKA), his client will liquidate both his movable and immovable assets in order to fully repay his debts to the state and EFKA.
In full, Mr. Dimitrakopoulos stated the following in his announcement:
“As soon as a final corrective determination of taxes and social security contributions is issued by the AADE and EFKA, he will liquidate his movable and immovable property and will fully settle his debt to the state and EFKA.”
