Greek construction magnate arrested over tax evasion
Athens: The head of one of Greece`s largest construction companies was arrested Wednesday on charges of tax evasion and ordered to pay the state 1.8 million euros ($1.9 million), the first such action since the radical left government came to power.
Leonidas Bobolas, CEO of the Ellaktor group, was brought before the public prosecutor but released after he pledged to pay the sum, the balance of what was originally a two million euro fine, “as soon as possible,” a judicial source said.
Leonidas Bobolas is the son of Georges Bobolas, head of one of Greece`s most powerful entrepreneurial families which is active in the fields of construction and media.
Arrests over tax infringements are not uncommon in Greece but rarely involve a figure of the status of Bobolas.
The government of the left-wing Syriza party, which came to power in January, has promised to tackle tax evasion which hurts Greece`s already fragile economy.
That ambition has been applauded by the country`s creditors the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.
A former magistrate specialising in financial crime has been appointed as minister in charge of the fight against corruption.
Bobolas had been informed of the sum due this month, lodged no appeal but failed to hand over the money to the tax authorities, the judicial source said.
Bobolas` lawyer said his client had gone voluntarily to the authorities to pay the required amount.
According to figures released last week by the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, Greek investors have deposited some 1.5 billion Swiss francs (1.4 billion euros) in Switzerland, part of which escapes the Greek taxman altogether.
Last month the new Greek government reopened discussions with the Swiss authorities over these deposits. Another round of talks is due to be held at the end of the month.
