Greece steps up checks on suppliers amid signs of profiteering

Greece is seeking to step up checks on the medical suppliers providing it with surgical masks, respirators and other materials and equipment necessary for its response to the coronavirus pandemic amid indications of profiteering across the globe.

On the initiative of Giorgos Mylonakis, a close aide to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a global network of Greek diplomats has been tasked with checking the reliability of suppliers before any payments are made. Already potential deliveries of masks and other supplies from Mexico, China and Turkey have been stopped as initial contacts with the companies in question raised concerns about credibility. 

In one potential deal that fell through, Greek authorities had agreed to the delivery of 200,000 masks from a Chinese firm at a cost of 2.25 euros per item. A few hours before the delivery however, the supplier indicated...