Charged with organised crime and fraud

A Greek businessman was yesterday charged with organised crime and defrauding five companies of a total of €423,000 which is about Lm181,000.

Alexandros Konstantinos Anastasiou, 36, who resides in Wardija, pleaded not guilty to having organised or financed a group of two or more people with the intent to commit a crime and conspiracy.

He also pleaded not guilty to obtaining money by false pretences when he defrauded Tower Manner Limited of €125,000; Acorn Distributions Limited and Ambrose Muscat of €75,000 each; Grimax Limited of €70,000; Ready-To-Move-In Limited of €57,000 and Modern Image Limited of €21,000. Finally, he also pleaded not guilty to misappropriating the €423,000 on and before Wednesday.

Two years ago Mr Anastasiou had appeared in court to testify in the compilation of evidence against two Austrian men who were charged with kidnapping him with the intention to extort money and administering him with a poisonous substance to compel him to do their bidding.

During yesterday's arraignment Magistrate Michael Mallia rejected Mr Anastasiou's request for bail.

Police Inspectors Ian Abdilla and Paul Vassallo prosecuted.

Dr Shazoo Ghaznavi and Dr Martin Fenech appeared for Mr Anastasiou.