A 72-year-old German man was arrested on Aug. 2 by the police on the Greek island of Chios and charged with spying. It came days after six men, three Greeks and three Turks, were arrested after a speedboat off the island carrying weapons and believed headed for Turkey was stopped. They were charged with terrorism.
After examining the two cameras of the elderly German man, as well as memory cards he had during his arrest, it was found that he had recently taken photos of a military camp in the region, as well as a dam and streets located around the camp in different regions in Chios.
In an investigation of his house on the island they said they found three portable computers, two cameras, 14 memory cards, five USB sticks, five tourist guides of Chios, two cellphones and a pair of glasses with an integrated camera, which were all seized.
Authorities said they believe he had been taking photos the last three years at least of facilities, projects and infrastructure of the Armed Forces and Non-Profit Organizations in Chios, which is only seven kilometers off the coast of Turkey.
The man claimed the pictures were taken on behalf of unknown Turkish nationals, who have approached him during the summer 2010, so that he would deliver them photographic material in exchange for rewards, which ranged from €500 to €1,500 per mission.
The material was being sent via e-mails, which he later deleted, or was delivered by unknown to him Turkish nationals in Chios or in Turkey. The German, who lives on the Greek island during the last four years, will be led to the First Instance Public Prosecutor of Chios.
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