A 57-year-old forensic pathologist in Chania, Crete, accused of passive bribery, was released under restrictive conditions after completing his testimony before the investigating magistrate.
According to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, the hearing lasted for more than six hours.
With the agreement of both the prosecutor and the investigating magistrate, it was decided shortly after 2 a.m. to release the defendant under the conditions that he remain in Greece and post €20,000 bail.
Outside the courthouse, relatives, friends, and supporters had gathered awaiting the decision. They greeted the announcement with applause, while the 57-year-old, upon leaving the building, turned toward the crowd and made a victory sign.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the toxicologist charged in the same case was also released under restrictive conditions.
He Denies the Charges
Defense attorney Ioulita Tzougaraki said her client categorically denies all the allegations against him, describing him as the victim of unjust targeting and public vilification. She argued that the cases for which he was questioned are unrelated to organized crime groups or to the well-known Manioudakis case.
She said the proceedings were lengthy and expressed satisfaction that the judicial authorities ultimately decided to release him under restrictive conditions.
Defense lawyer Giorgos Perakis also described the hearing as exhaustive, arguing that it produced no serious evidence of guilt that would justify pretrial detention.
He said there was no proof that the defendant had accepted bribes or that any incriminating evidence had emerged, expressing confidence that the charge would ultimately be dismissed in court.
