Abductions of renowned businessmen are not uncommon in Greece, though not nearly as common as in Asia, or Latin America.
With the fortunate conclusion of 54-year-old businessman Michalis Lempidakis’ kidnapping, here are three notable abduction cases from the past, that shook the news and captivated the Greek public.
Pericles Panagopoulos (2009)
The kidnapping of shipowner Pericles Panagopoulos was one of the most unforgettable abduction cases, for many reasons, notably because of the circumstances of his abduction (in the middle of the road in the area of Voula) and the victim’s magnanimity and courage to publicly forgive his abductors.
Panagopoulos’ luxury car was immobilized in the middle of a Voula street, and he was forcibly removed into a van by three armed men. He was then placed into the trunk of another vehicle and was moved into an undisclosed location, where he was chained.
Panagopoulos was released after 8 days in captivity, when his abductors received ransom of 30 million euros. His abductors were subsequently arrested, but the instigators of the kidnapping were Giannis Skaftouros and Panagiotis Vlastos, both serving long sentences for various crimes at the time.
Testifying in the trial, the businessman claimed that his abductors treated him with respect and took care of his needs, including medical treatment for his condition. He forgave them and said he hoped the ransom money would make them “better persons”.
Alekos Haitoglou (1995)
A lotto win in the family led to one of the most notorious kidnappings in recent Greek history. In December 1995, months after his brother and businessman, Kostas won 160 million drachmas in the Lotto, Alekos Haitoglou was abducted and the ransom required were at 260 million drs.
The abductors got away with 80 million drs. after negotiations and the businessman was released after 80 hours in holding. Haitoglou was left in the Karditsa bus station for his relatives to pick him up.
His family sued the Greek state, citing Greek police “inadequacies”, as the main reason for his abduction. Notorious gangsters Mikos and Vasilis Palaiokostas, along with accomplice Pavlos Keremidis were charged with the crime.
George Mylonas (2008)
The notorious Palaiokostas brothers were behind the kidnapping of the President of the Association of Northern Greece Industries, George Mylonas, in June 9, 2008. While he and his wife Nelly were returning from a restaurant, they were confronted by three armed masked men, only minutes after Mylonas had said goodnight to his personal private guard.
He was taken from his Mercedes car at gunpoint, put into the back seat of another car and taken to a Paliokostas family hideout in Souroti, in Thessaloniki. His wife Nelly was let go. Their young children were fortunately at home for the day.
Mylonas was released thirteen days later, but not before his abductors secured 13 million euros as ransom. Paliokostas had threatened to kill him if the ransom was not delivered in time. All persons responsible for the kidnapping were eventually arrested and convicted.
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