Greek ex-mayor jailed for life for embezzlement
A former mayor of Greece's second city Thessaloniki and two other ex-officials have been jailed for life for embezzling almost 18m euros (£15.5m) of public funds, BBC reported.
The court ruled that Vassilis Papageorgopoulos was a key part of a scam that lasted between 1999 and 2008.
It is believed to be the longest sentence given to any Greek politician convicted of corruption.
After sentencing, Papageorgopoulos continued to protest his innocence.
"I declare that I have nothing to do with this case," he told the Thessaloniki court, according to Greek media.
"Some people will go to their graves weighed down by remorse."
He said his trial had been turned into a "political process."
Papageorgopoulos was mayor of Thessaloniki from 1999 to 2010 after serving as deputy sports minister in the early 1990s.
Also sentenced to life were the city's former general secretary, Michalis Lemoussias, and former treasurer Panagiotis Saxonis.
All three are expected to appeal.