Greek judges impound former politician’s home

Athens court officials say an appeals court prosecutor and an investigating magistrate have decided to impound the residence of a former Socialist defense minister before his trial for false declaration of income sources.

Former minister Akis Tsochadzopoulos has posted €150,000 ($200,000) bail and is forbidden to leave the country. The court officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.

The 72-year-old Tsochadzopoulos was defense minister from 1996-2001, a Socialist party secretary in the 1990s and an unsuccessful candidate for the party leadership in 1996. He denies wrongdoing.

Tsochadzopoulos is also under investigation for money laundering in connection with a submarine contract. Charges of bribery against him in that case were dismissed last year because of a favorable statute of limitations for public officials.