Stavros Papastavrou, the former close aide of prime minister Antonis Samaras, has been summoned to appear before a public prosecutor after August 15. He will be asked to testify concerning a case linked to the ‘Lagarde list’ of Greeks with bank accounts at a Swiss branch of HSBC. He was called to answer questions as a suspect for tax evasion following the discovery of some 5.5 million euros in a HSBC account in his name.

On Friday, he failed to appear before the prosecutor in person but was represented by his lawyer, who asked for additional time to prepare his testimony in the case. The date when he will be summoned again will be decided after August 15. Papastavrou’s mother, a joint account holder, has also been called to testify.

Based on the results of the financial prosecutors’ investigations, the accused may also face charges of perjury for lying to a Parliamentary inquiry on the Lagarde list concerning his account while testifying under oath. He had lied to the committee, stating that the money did not belong to him but to a businessman called Sabi Mionis that he represented.