Felony prosecution was brought against the 63-year-old who was arrested for antiquities theft following a police operation at the “Macedonia” airport in Thessaloniki, through which he attempted to travel to Germany by transporting ancient coins.

He was prosecuted for the illegal export of cultural goods originating from a criminal act, as well as for accepting and disposing of monuments that are the proceeds of crime of particularly high value (ongoing).

He was referred to apologize to a special investigator from whom he received a deadline and is being held.

Initially, nine ancient coins were found on him, of which three were hidden inside his jacket and the rest in a shoulder bag, while an investigation by the police of the Department of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of the Thessaloniki Security Service followed at his home in Serres, where a total of 80 ancient coins of various historical periods (Ancient Greek, Roman Empire, Byzantine and Ottoman).

A bronze ring and a bronze mask, coin cleaning tools and a number of documents related to antiquities were also confiscated. All confiscated objects fall – according to an archaeologist’s opinion – under the protective provisions of the Antiquities Law.

The 63-year-old was also arrested two years ago for possessing 547 coins dating from the 4th century BC.