A case file compiled by Greek Police into the investigation into a huge extortion ring operating since 2011 out of Korydallos prison contains shocking evidence about 37 people involved, including the one-time defense minister and current inmate at the penitentiary.

According to authorities, a network of alleged henchmen and extortionists was formed by three inmates, namely, Panagiotis Vlastos, Giannis Skaftouros and Vassilis Stephanakos in May 2011, and later expanded to involve high-ranking judicial officers, well-known lawyers, as well as convicted former minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

The case file, including transcripts of defendants’ recorded conversations, was sent to a special anti-corruption judicial official, who will call the 37 suspects to testify.

Tsochatzopoulos’ alleged  involvement is related to an extortion attempt against Giannis Sbokos, his own one-time close associate at the defense ministry and the former head of the general secretariat for defense procurements.  During Tsochatzopoulos’ trial for money laundering proceeds from criminal activity, for which he was convicted, evidence presented by prosecutors showed that the former PASOK minister had repeatedly pressured Sbokos to pay him a significant sum of money he said he was owed.

In terms of the ongoing case, the former minister is accused of instigating a bomb attack against a building owned by the Sbokos family.

Sbokos is currently in prison for his involvement in a large-scale corruption racket.

Authorities claim the ring’s activities, apart from extortion and bomb attacks, include contract killings, some of which involved prison officials.

So far, 16 people have been arrested by police. Based on probe’s findings, the suspects are responsible for bomb attacks against a residence in the upscale northern Athens suburb of Kifissia, owned by Sbokos’ family.

In addition, members of the ring are accused of planning bomb attacks at the apartment of former Korydallos prison warden Maria Stefi as well as attacks against judicial officers, which nevertheless were called off.