“You have been pursuing me for three years, but in the end, when Chrysochoidis leaves, you will be polishing my shoes. Until we meet again,” the note, as cited in media reports, read.

Well-known defense attorney Michalis Dimitrakopoulos confirmed that his client, Giannakopoulos, acknowledged writing the note, which was found by authorities at the man’s home in the southern Athens coastal district of Alimos.

He said he learned of its existence while visiting his client in police custody at the Athens police headquarters. When questioned about the reference to the minister, Giannakopoulos initially appeared taken aback before admitting that he had written it in his own handwriting.

According to Dimitrakopoulos, Giannakopoulos wrote the note shortly before leaving home and allegedly told his lawyer that he wanted Chrysochoidis removed from office.

Dimitrakopoulos suggested that his client may have left the note as a personal message to authorities in case he was arrested, describing the decision as reckless.

The lawyer also said Giannakopoulos intends to sell his movable and real estate assets to settle debts owed to the state and Greece’s main social security fund. He maintained that the case concerns tax evasion and unpaid social security contributions, rejecting allegations linking his client to running a wide-spread prostitution and brothel network intertwined with human trafficking.

The investigation into the To Horiatiko chain forms part of a broader case involving alleged tax evasion, fraud against the state, unpaid social security contributions and money laundering. Authorities are examining a network of companies and potential losses to the state exceeding 100 million euros. The case file reportedly names 149 defendants and includes allegations of links to public officials.