The former Mayor of Thessaloniki Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and his right-hand-man and former general secretary Michalis Lemousias who were both sentenced to life imprisonment for embezzling municipal funds returned to court for their appeal.
After overcoming some technicalities, the Felony Appeal Court of Thessaloniki scheduled the trial for 12:30 today, when the first witnesses are to be cross-examined.
Upon arrival at the court, the former Mayor was welcomed by supporters. Mr. Papageorgopoulos expressed his wish to proceed with the appeal as soon as possible, as stipulated by the relevant legislation when public divs are involved.
Mr. Papageorgopoulos, Mr. Lemousias and the former treasurer of the Municipality Mr. Saxonis were all given life sentences for the embezzlement of 18 million euros, while two other former directors were given 15 and 10 year sentences.
