59 arrested in Greece in investigation of Horiatiko bakery chain

Greek authorities arrested 59 people on October 26, 2026, in a probe into suspected tax and financial fraud linked to the Horiatiko bakery chain and a network of related businesses. Officials say the alleged loss to the state could reach or exceed €100 million.

Scope and nature of the investigation

The inquiry focuses on suspected evasion of value-added tax (VAT) and unpaid social security contributions. Prosecutors and police have widened checks beyond bakeries to include other commercial activities such as nightclubs and hospitality venues.

"At the moment more than 400 companies are being examined for their involvement in this criminal organisation," said police spokesperson Dimoglidu to MEGA TV. Authorities report that the main challenge is proving who actually controlled many of the firms under scrutiny.

Investigators suspect that some registered owners or managers were merely nominal representatives while other individuals ran the businesses behind the scenes. Arrested persons include accountants, collaborators and those accused of formally representing companies that may have been controlled by third parties. Police operations also took place on Mykonos and Rhodes.

Horiatiko (Greek: Χωριάτικο) operates bakeries in Athens and other parts of Greece; several outlets function as franchises run by separate operators. According to a report published on October 26, the stores continued to operate normally amid the raids.

Among those detained was Angelos Yanakopoulos, identified by public reports as the owner of the chain; he was arrested in Ioannina during an operation by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. Detainees were expected to be brought before a prosecutor later that afternoon on October 26. Alleged losses and individual responsibility remain to be established in court, and no immediate comment was obtained from Yanakopoulos, his lawyer or the company.

Photo: press material from the event