The 39 arrested in the case of the two circuits of the two archaeological circuits, whose dismantling announced last week by ELAS were released, after their apologies to the competent investigator.

The apology process lasted four days with those involved in groups at the office of the 3rd Special Investigator Thessaloniki. Among them were the two alleged ‘leaders“The circuits, in which, in addition to the restrictive terms of the exit ban and the appearance of a police station, additional money was imposed Guarantee of 50,000 euros, each.

The two people above, a 66 -year -old and a 43 -year -old, seemed to buy antiquities, coming from smuggling and exported them abroad where they were sold to auction houses, according to the indictment.

The two criminal group had ‘intermediary“Who appreciated the value of the ancient findings, mainly coins, displayed them to prospective buyers (either live or through photos), while undertaking to bring the two sides, holders and stakeholders in contact to complete the sale.

The massive case file formed following an investigation carried out by October 2023, the Patras Criminal Prosecution and Delineation, includes, inter alia, conversations Among the people involved with coded expressions.

For exampleq

– Illegal archaeological research was called “ride for asparagus or fishing” while

– With the words “plugs, strips, nuts, tractors, yogurt, tsipouro, fish, etc.” Antiquities were called.

– When a trip abroad was going to say “go to the girls”, while “white” the silver coins were called, “yellow” gold, “green” or “red” bronze.

In the same case file there is also a one archaeologistan employee of an antiquities Ephorate who appears willing to negotiate the sale of antiquity which he had illegally removed, as well as one correctional officer (from the detainees) that in the conversations he mediates the purchase of ancient objects (without reached agreement).

Among the defendants, but not arrested, is a truck driver through which the 66 -year -old leader is accused of exporting ancient coins to Germany.

In this country the two circuits appear to have had partners, Greek permanent residents abroad, among them an employee of a criminal auction house in Greece for archaeologists.

Those who apologized to the investigator denied the heavy charges attributed to them. Their main claim was that they were collectible coins and legal auctions.

As announced by ELAS, 1,800 archaeological finds were seized, 800 of which were found in Germany. The seized includes numerous coins of various periods and publishing, animal and anthropomorphic figurines, as well as various objects in the form of ancient masks and helmets. They were transferred to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki to be examined by competent officials who will rule on their exact archaeological value.