Two businessmen to be questioned in arms kickbacks probe

An investigating magistrate is expected to summon two Greek businessman in the coming days who have been linked to kickbacks worth 5.5 million euros for the purchase of Super Puma helicopters, including 1.6 million euros that was found in an offshore account in the name of right-wing LAOS leader Giorgos Karatzaferis, according to prosecutors.

Apart from the businessmen, Alexandros Tsatsos and Stavros Komnopoulos, the magistrate Gavriil Mallis is to call three retired army officers who have also been linked to the purchase. One of the three, Yiannis Rammos, was deputy regional governor of western Greece until last Monday when he resigned in the wake of the allegations. The magistrate is not only examining the Super Puma deal, which was signed in 2000 when the defense minister was Akis Tsochatzopoulos, now in prison for money laundering. The probe is also focused on the purchase of Exocet anti-ship missiles, sources said.