DEREK GATOPOULOS
Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A judicial inquiry is taking place at a state hospital in Athens where a 67-year-old heart patient died after allegedly being denied timely surgery by a doctor seeking a bribe.

Judicial officials in a statement Tuesday said the investigation was ordered Monday, a day after the patient died.

The 59-year-old surgeon and hospital administrator was arrested last week after receiving a payment of 500 euros ($680) from the heart attack victim in an operation monitored by police. He has been changed with bribery and blackmail.

The patient received heart surgery on Saturday but died the following day.

Bribery remains widespread in Greece, which is ranked by the Berlin-based Transparency International watchdog group as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe.

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