



A Greek former junior minister was found hanged on Thursday after his name appeared on a list of politicians investigated for possible tax evasion, the police said.

Leonidas Tzanis, a 57-year-old lawyer who had served as deputy interior minister a decade ago, was found dead in his home in the central city of Volos.

“He was found hanged in his basement by his wife, who alerted the ambulance service. The ambulance service called the police,” a police spokesman said.

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras last month said the ministry’s fraud squad was investigating over 30 cases involving the holdings and tax declarations of politicians, local council administrators and other senior public servants.

The probe “aims to uncover and combat corruption… at all levels of power,” the minister said in a statement.

Greek media had previously circulated a list of 36 names, including several ex-ministers, two former mayors, lawmakers and other officials.

Many of those named have publicly denied involvement and threaten to sue.

(source: AFP)



