DOE are said to be seeking three other unnamed persons in connection with the issue.
The Restis Group issued a short statement strongly refuting the allegations. "Mr Restis is shocked by the false accusations of criminal wrongdoing made by a former employee. He will vigorously respond to these allegations. Mr. Restis is confident that a thorough investigation by the Greek authorities will reveal that the accusations of criminal wrongdoing are baseless and that he will be vindicated," the company said. Restis has been given until 26 July to present his defence.
According to the Athens News Agency (ANA) the arrest warrant was issued in regard to loans granted by First Business Bank (FB Bank), of which, until recently Restis and his family was the major shareholder and for a period he served as non-executive chairman.
Restis is one of Greece’s best known businessmen and entrepreneurs. The loans under investigation are said to involve companies connected with his own wide commercial interests, and according to ANA total EUR500m/525m ($659 / $692m). DOE officers say the Elliniko, Athens-based Restis is personally accused of getting a Euro5.8m loan from the bank through a holding company which ended up with him and his family.
In May the "healthy" part of FB Bank was transferred to the ownership of the National Bank of Greece after Restis was unable to meet the sum required under the country’s ongoing recapitalisation of banks. FB Bank's operating license was revoked and the bank was put into special liquidation.
Among Greek shipowners, Restis sit at sixth largest, controlling some 92 ships of 8.33m dwt. The fleet comprises some 267 tankers and 65 bulkers and he is behind the Nasdaq listed dry bulk operation, Seanergy Maritime Holdings.
Restis’ arrest comes as the dispute between he is having with the American coalition United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), and its chief executive, Mark D Wallace, becomes ever more nasty as he attempts to stymie the US lobby’s efforts to get an official probe into the Restis group and its alleged dealings with Iran.
Seatrade Global has reported the Restis Group's filing with an Athens magistrate court alleging libel and other offences against UANI and Wallace. The clash between the New York-based UANI and Restis has simmered since May when Wallace accused Restis, together with FB Bank, and the Restis group's shipping firm, Enterprises Shipping & Trading, of being “frontmen for the illicit Iranian regime”.
Related stories:
Victor Restis ups the ante in Iran allegations squabble
Victor Restis refutes Iranian business links
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