On Wednesday, bribery charges led to the arrest of the tax office director and four staff members in Halkida, on the island of Evia.

The five tax officials were allegedly accepting bribes from citizens to speed up specific procedures, according to the police. Moreover, they are accused of blackmailing businesses and individuals into paying bribes. The authorities estimate that, during the last three months, the ring received a total of 95,600 euros in bribes. 

An individual who the ring allegedly blackmailed into paying a bribe of 5,000 euros informed the police of the tax officials' activities in November 2023.

During the police operation, one of the tax office employees was found in possession of an envelope containing 10,000 euros. The police also confiscated, among other things, 78,795 euros in cash and an unregistered hunting rifle.

Besides the tax employees, two other individuals were also arrested for allegedly participating in the bribery ring.

STATEMENT OF KOSTIS HATZIDAKIS

"I didn't get into politics to cover up for thieves. I have adhered to this principle strictly from the first moment I entered politics, and I repeat the same message today on the occasion of the case at the Tax Office of  Chalkida," says Kostis Hatzidakis.

After the intervention of the police and the revelation of the scheme, the Minister of National Economy and Finance says that "the systematic work of the ELAS, the AADE, and the judicial authorities proves our strong will to confront any form of illegality, even if it originates in the public administration itself.

And it is obvious that we will not stop here. We will continue to fight against misconduct at all levels and in all directions. Whether we are talking about cases of corruption, smuggling, or other economic crimes,.

It is primarily fair for the citizens, necessary for the economy, but also a basic mission of the government  itself," underlines Mr. Hatzidakis.