Owner of Choriatiko bakery chain remanded in custody over tax fraud case

On October 29, 2026, Greek judicial authorities ordered the detention of Angelos Giannakopoulos, the 57-year-old owner of the 'Choriatiko' bakery chain, following his testimony regarding a large-scale tax evasion and fraud investigation. Giannakopoulos, identified as the alleged ringleader of a criminal organization, denied the fraud charges, characterizing the situation as purely administrative tax issues. He requested release or house arrest with electronic monitoring, citing health issues and family obligations, but the court denied these requests.

The ongoing investigation involves at least 30 suspects, including members of a second criminal group based in Rhodes and three police officers currently under scrutiny. While some suspects were granted release with restrictive conditions—and in some cases financial bail—at least six individuals have been remanded in custody as of the latest updates. The legal proceedings remain active, with further testimonies from the remaining accused expected to continue following the marathon judicial process.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the scale of the alleged financial crimes and the involvement of high-profile figures, including former unionists. Authorities are continuing to analyze the structural organization of the companies involved, as prosecutors investigate how these entities allegedly facilitated money laundering and systemic tax evasion.