University doctor sentenced to 18 months imprisonmentbecause he demanded and took a “bag” of 5,000 euros from a patient in view of a cardiac operation he was going to undergo in a public hospital. The Three-member Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki found him guilty of bribery of an employee, with the recognition of the mitigating factor of his previous cohabitation, while the sentence was suspended.

The case was revealed in November 2020, following a complaint to the Internal Affairs Sub-Directorate of Northern Greece of EL.AS. He himself was put on leave from his university duties, when the criminal investigation began, with the “corrupt” members of EL.AS. to “dust off” all the surgeries he performed.

In fact, from the specific investigation it emerged that between 2018 and 2020 he had collected “bags” from other patients – more than 15 – and that is why a second case file was filed against him for bribery, by follow-up and by profession, which is pending in the criminal courts. Recently, patients and their relatives were tried and acquitted, because they had given “bags” (to bribe an employee).

Before the Magistrates’ Court who found him guilty, the convicted doctor denied the charge, claiming he was the victim of a scam. He also stated that the disputed surgery was to be performed in a private hospital and that half of the money was intended for him as a fee and the rest for his scientific team.