A corruption investigation into urban planning services and municipalities in the wider Athens area has revealed new details about a suspected network accused of arranging illegal favors in exchange for money, according to information included in the case file.
The alleged scheme reportedly involved facilitating procedures related to building permits, unauthorized constructions and urban planning fines, with authorities investigating whether officials provided assistance to contractors and private individuals in exchange for financial rewards.
The investigation began after an anonymous complaint was submitted to the Internal Affairs Service of the Hellenic Police, leading to months of surveillance and evidence collection involving the people allegedly connected to the network.
Six defendants have been remanded in custody in connection with the case, although all have denied wrongdoing.
Alleged payments and coded language
According to the investigation material, those involved allegedly used coded expressions to refer to money and avoid detection. One of the terms reportedly used was “coffee,” which investigators believe referred to envelopes containing cash payments.
The case file includes references to meetings between urban planning employees, engineers and property owners, as well as conversations where individuals allegedly avoided discussing payments directly over the phone.
Authorities say the group also used messaging applications such as Viber, WhatsApp and Telegram in an effort to avoid recorded communications.
Other alleged code words identified in the investigation included “tools,” “plans” and “papers.”
Building permits and alleged illegal arrangements
The investigation reportedly includes several cases involving payments connected to urban planning matters. These include allegations of €1,000 for the settlement of an unauthorized construction at a gym in Nea Erythraia, €15,000 for an unauthorized property arrangement in Mykonos, and €40,000 related to a property in Kerameikos.
Authorities are also examining cases involving major construction projects in areas with strict planning rules, including parts of Kifisia, to determine whether officials intervened or allowed violations to avoid penalties or fines.
Political references in the case file
The investigation has also drawn attention due to references involving public figures and officials.
Following the resignation of secretary-general for spatial planning and urban environment at Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Efthymios Bakoyannis over his family connection to the alleged leadership of the network, reports also referred to another political figure, former Migration Policy Secretary General Manos Logothetis.
According to the reports cited in the case, the alleged leader of the network provided money in a sweets box to a planning office official in Marousi in relation to an allegedly improper property permit connected to Logothetis.
The case file also reportedly mentions Nafsika Chatzidaki, a member of the Central Council of Modern Monuments of the Ministry of Culture, who faces allegations of receiving a bribe as a public employee.
Investigation continues
The authorities are continuing to examine the financial records of the alleged leading figures of the group, including issues related to their asset declarations.
According to the investigation, attempts were allegedly made through intermediaries to influence the process, including a reported payment of €20,000. The case, however, continued through legal channels.
The suspects have denied the accusations, while authorities continue reviewing the evidence collected during the investigation.
