ATHENS – Corruption unstoppable in Greece, another case has found 19 people, including active and retired cops and lawyers charged with bribery over officers being paid to avoid inspecting brothels and gambling dens.

The places were in central Athens, said Kathimerini, which reported that those who allegedly took bribes will be tried separately from those who offered them and others.

The case is being stepped up before a statute of limitations runs out which would mean there couldn't be any prosecutions even if there is evidence of wrongdoing against the accused.

Paying a bribe was lowered to a misdemeanor under the former ruling Radical Left SYRIZA although taking a bribe is a felony and has a longer statute allowing people to be put on trial.

The bribery racket was described in a National Intelligence Agency (EYP) report on corruption in the Greek police force with four suspects looked at by intelligence officials having been murdered since 2018 as well as journalist Giorgos Karaivaz, gunned down outside his home on April 9, with no progress being reported in the case.