Figure linked to Defense Procurement Bribes CONVICTED
Status: convicted. Linked to 2 cases: Defense Procurement Bribes CONVICTED, Other Convictions. 3 known connections.
Biography
Apostolos-Athanasios "Akis" Tsochatzopoulos (born 1939) was a founding member of PASOK and one of Greece's most powerful socialist politicians. Close to Andreas Papandreou, he served as Defense Minister from 1996-2001, overseeing billions in military procurement.
Behind the scenes, he was receiving massive bribes from defense contractors—€52 million in total—for favorable treatment in submarine and weapons system purchases. The money was laundered through offshore companies and used to buy luxury properties in Athens.
His 2013 conviction was Greece's largest political corruption case. He, his wife Vicky Stamati, and multiple associates received prison sentences. The case exposed systematic corruption in Greek defense procurement during the pre-crisis years.
Key roles: Defense Minister (1996-2001), PASOK founding member Born: 1939, Thessaloniki
Cases Involved
Defense Procurement Bribes CONVICTED
Date: 2013 Outcome: 20 years prison €52 million in bribes German submarines (HDW/Ferrostaal) Russian TOR-M1 missiles Money laundered through offshore companies Luxury Athens properties
Other Convictions
Wife Vicky Stamati: convicted Multiple associates: convicted Largest political corruption case in modern Greece
Connections
🇩🇪 Ferrostaal/HDW
German submarine manufacturer, bribes
🇬🇷 PASOK
Party he helped found
🇬🇷 Siemens scandal
Parallel defense bribery case