A council of misdemeanor court justices on Thursday ordered the conditional release of eight defendants arrested earlier this month in a high-profile investigation of alleged gold smuggling, money laundering and fencing charges.
The case had dominated the national limelight for a few days, given that the most prominent defendant is the well-known owner of Greece's largest chain of pawn shops, a familiar face due to his appearance on television ads. The pawn shop owner and businessman was even mentioned by name days after his arrested by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, a quip that drew an angry reaction from his defense attorneys.
The eight men's release on bail was more-or-less expected, after an initial charge of gold smuggling collapsed when the finance ministry clarified that duties are not owed when exporting gold, to Turkey, in this case.
A bail was set at 200,000 euros for the pawn shop chain owner and a Turkish-Syrian citizen, accused as a co-ringleader in an indictment.
The other six defendants will be released without bail, only restrictive measures.
