Eight of the suspects who had been arrested and held on charges of illegally smuggling gold out of Greece will be released from jail, their lawyers claimed on Tuesday.
The lead prosecutor handling the case decided to release the men following the transmittal of a document issued by Greek customs authorities. The document apparently completely alters one of the key aspects of the case.
According to Greek law, and the rules of the customs agreement between Turkey and the European Union, there is no need to impose a tariff on gold exported from Greece to Turkey.
The principal charge of illegally smuggling gold must therefore be dismissed. It appears that no crime was committed by the suspects, who indeed were involved in exporting gold to Turkey.
Among the eight suspects who were temporarily jailed was pawnbroker Richardos Mylonas, who had been alleged to be the head of the smuggling ring. Mylonas’ attorney Alexis Kougias said that the prosecutor informed him on Tuesday that the customs authorities released new documents which shed a completely different light on the case.
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