Korumulas arrested, fourth name in Greek basketball scandal

A new development has taken place in the investigation that has shaken basketball circles in Greece. Ilias Korumulas, a former international referee who currently works as a special adviser on refereeing, was ordered into custody by the prosecutor and the investigating judge. Earlier, a similar decision had been taken against Vangelis Liolios, Giorgos Mavraganis and Petros Papapetrou.

In his testimony, Korumulas did not accept the charges. He argued that he had no authority over referee appointments or changes. As for the 102 thousand euros found in his home, he said part of it was payments he received from Euroleague. According to him, about 193 thousand euros was a participation fee, and 70 thousand euros was a bonus paid because he had not made a major mistake.

His lawyer, Apostolos Lytras, said the decision was unjust. Lytras noted that the grounds rest on only two witness statements, that the evidence is insufficient, and that his client has no risk of flight. The defense announced it will appeal the custody order.

Tsarouchas and Piloidis also denied the charges in their testimony. Attention is now focused on whether new names will be drawn into the investigation in its later stages.