“More politicians and relatives took their money abroad”

The statement by the head of the authority to combat "black money", Panagiotis Nikoloudis, who said that a Greek MP took one million euros abroad in May 2011, was only the beginning. Αs Evangelos Venizelos said, the information systems department of the ministry of Finance has identified "politicians and their relatives who sent abroad remittances of more than 100,000 euros in 2011." He said that the list will be finalized within the day and sent to parliament, while "in some cases I have asked for the assistance of the Financial Crime Unit."

Venizelos explained that last Wednesday the DIAS banking system "provided us with the data of 2011 - namely remittances abroad of more than 100,000 euros - that is too extensive in volume. At this point the investigation is ongoing and all I can say is that there are politicians and their relatives." The specific list will be completed today and will be sent to the relevant parliamentary committee to crosscheck if the money is recorded in the statements of personal property.

"There may be cases where money was taken abroad for trading or health reasons. Therefore, we need to conduct hearings by the committee with all the individuals involved".

Venizelos added that of the 65 billion that were taken from banks, only 16 billion ended up abroad and the rest is "in deposit boxes, in homes, in paintings… We lost 2.5 billion in interest. This is an opportunity to start the return movement and I am also asking the politicians to do so."

Lastly, parliament chairman Philippos Petsalnikos declared that they have collected all the MP authorisations in order to start the lifting of banking confidentiality in Switzerland and identify whether a "Greek politician has undeclared bank accounts in this country."