SONAK

A prosecutor in a three-member appeals court in Athens on Wednesday recommended the acquittal of four suspects tried in connection with the procurement of Chinook military helicopters more than twenty years ago, citing lack of incriminating evidence.

A three-judge criminal court in Athens on Wednesday passed down a 16-year suspended prison sentence to Greek arms dealer Thomas Liakounakos, a senior executive of his company SONAK and two former defense ministry officials in connection with an electronic defense system which SONAK was commissioned to provide for the Greek army but which it failed to deliver.

On Monday night, Thomas Liakounakos, aged 67, and a retired former high-ranking military officer were taken into custody. The high-profile businessman was apprehended from his home in upmarket Psychiko after an arrest warrant was issued in relation to charges stemming from a case involving a contract with Swedish multi-national Ericsson.

Businessman Thomas Liakounakos was ordered to post 300,000 euros in bail and was banned from leaving the country on Monday after testifying in front of special anti-corruption prosecutor Costas Sargiotis.