Greek authorities say 64 to stand trial over allegedly corrupt Siemens telecom deal

Greek authorities have indicted more than 60 people to stand trial over an alleged bribery scandal 17 years ago, involving a telecom contract for German industrial giant Siemens AG.

An investigation found that the Greek state lost some 70 million euros from the 1998 sale of equipment from Siemens to Greece's dominant telecom operator, OTE.

A panel of judges decided Monday that 64 Greek and German nationals should stand trial for bribery or money laundering. The suspects include former Siemens and OTE officials, and the former treasurer of Greece's once-prominent Socialist party.

Two of the main suspects have fled Greece, while others live in Germany.

No trial date was set. The charges carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence.