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Urban Planning Ring: Conversations 'Incriminate' Those Involved - 'I fought for it... it passed by a hair'
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Urban Planning Ring: Conversations 'Incriminate' Those Involved - 'I fought for it... it passed by a hair'

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Authorities are investigating a network allegedly operating within Athens' urban planning services, suspected of facilitating illegal construction settlements and expediting permit approvals for bribes.
  • Key evidence includes recorded conversations and photographic documentation, reportedly showing a woman, believed to be the ringleader, meeting with an engineer and receiving money.
  • The investigation has uncovered alleged attempts to influence council decisions and manipulate technical reports, with one member of a relevant council reportedly admitting to securing a majority vote for a controversial property case.

An alleged corruption ring operating within Athens' urban planning services is under intense scrutiny, with investigators uncovering extensive evidence of illicit dealings. Recorded conversations and photographic documentation suggest a network facilitated the settlement of urban planning issues and expedited approvals for illegal constructions in exchange for money.

The investigation centers on a woman identified by authorities as the alleged ringleader. Evidence reportedly shows her meeting with an engineer in a Marousi cafe, where she is said to have received a sum of money. This meeting is linked to the case of a property in Petralona that was under review by the relevant Service for Modern Monuments and Technical Works.

It will proceed, it's procedural.

— EngineerDescribing the expected progression of a property case under review.

Recorded conversations allegedly reveal attempts to create a favorable climate for the Petralona property case. An engineer is quoted as saying, "It will proceed, it's procedural," while the alleged ringleader sought details on how to proceed and requested the inclusion of photos of neighboring buildings in the technical report. The engineer reportedly mentioned having "someone inside" monitoring the case and discussed influencing council members to prevent a negative opinion.

I fought for it... it passed by a hair, by majority.

— Member of the Attica Service for Modern Monuments and Technical Works CouncilStating her efforts to secure a favorable outcome for a controversial property case.

Further complicating the case, a woman identified as a member of the Attica Service for Modern Monuments and Technical Works Council allegedly informed the suspected ringleader that she had worked to secure a positive opinion for the property. "I fought for it... it passed by a hair, by majority," she reportedly stated in a recorded conversation. Separately, an investigation into an illegal change of use for a property in Kifissia reportedly involves a physiotherapist meeting with a construction control supervisor, allegedly handing over a bag containing money.

Authorities are examining the supervisor's potential involvement in resolving an urban planning issue related to the physiotherapist's property. During this meeting, the phrase "Here's your gift" was reportedly recorded. The investigation also involves examining the role of administrative fees and potential black market dealings.

Here's your gift.

— PhysiotherapistAllegedly said during a meeting where a bag was handed over, suspected to contain money.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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