Former GENOP union official Rizos Rizos arrested in Choriatiko 100 million euro tax fraud case

The arrests

Greek authorities have arrested 59 people in connection with an alleged tax fraud of 100 million euros linked to the Choriatiko bakery chain. Among those detained is Rizos Rizos, a former GENOP-PPC union official who once served as the union's organisational secretary. Reports say he was one of the right-hand men of the chain's owner, Angelos Giannakopoulos, and acted as an intermediary between him and nominal figures who held key positions. Giannakopoulos is also among the arrested, and one report describes him as the alleged mastermind of the ring.

Where the investigation spread

The probe reached beyond Attica to Ioannina, where Giannakopoulos was arrested, and to several Greek islands. Fifteen people were arrested on Rhodes, one on Mykonos and one on Zakynthos. The investigation is examining the wider network of companies and the possible role of front people in concealing the real decision-makers. Investigators are also looking into possible tax violations and unpaid social security contributions.

Asset freeze

The Anti-Money Laundering Authority has ordered a freeze on the assets of people allegedly involved in two cases, the Pizza Fan case and the Choriatiko bakery case. The order covers bank accounts and safe-deposit boxes held by the people arrested. Accounts used to pay employee wages are expressly excluded, because the authority aims to ensure that workers, who are not believed to bear responsibility for the cases under investigation, are not affected.