LAOS party leader and others face charges in EFKA fraud case

On October 11, 2026, Philippos Kambouris, the leader of the LAOS party, appeared before a magistrate in Athens alongside his wife and nine other individuals. The defendants are accused of orchestrating a large-scale fraud scheme against the national social security fund, EFKA, with total damages to the state estimated to exceed 5 million euros. The charges include leading a criminal organization, fraud, and money laundering.

During the marathon hearing, five of the eleven defendants, including Kambouris and his spouse, provided their testimonies. The couple denied the allegations, characterizing the financial shortfall as an outstanding debt rather than fraudulent intent. They attributed the failure to pay social security contributions to their accounting staff. The prosecution alleges that the group established a network of shell companies, often using straw men to manage operations without their knowledge.

The judicial process at the former Evelpidon Military Academy site is ongoing, with six more defendants scheduled to present their testimonies. The investigation is focused on determining the extent of the criminal activities and the structure of the alleged network, as the case proceeds through the pre-trial phase.