The lawyer arrested for involvement in a ring that reportedly made thousands of euros from selling fake paintings and gold bars is notably extensive.
The accused maintains an office in central Athens and, according to his online resume, taught Constitutional Law and Human Rights Law in the 1990s at the Police and Officers’ School of the National Police.
He is listed as an expert advising and supervising corporate and international projects and organizations across various industries, including Ministries of Tourism and Renewable Energy, as well as real estate transactions. He was also a prominent figure in the “Quit” movement that emerged around a decade ago.
The 57-year-old lawyer was arrested alongside a 42-year-old accomplice. The investigation into their conspiracy began when a businessman approached the Antiquities Protection Department to report the fraud.
The businessman claimed that he had paid the 57-year-old €300,000 in exchange for gold bars, which later turned out to be counterfeit. He was then reassured that he would be compensated with expensive paintings. However, these paintings also proved to be fake.
Following these discoveries, the businessman decided to report the matter to the authorities. A subsequent investigation led National Police officers to raid the homes of the two suspects, where they seized 481 paintings, two authenticity certificates, and weapons belonging to the older suspect.
An expert analysis confirmed that the majority of the paintings were forgeries. Notably, among the seized works were counterfeit pieces attributed to a renowned Greek painter, whose genuine works are classified as monuments of modern cultural heritage.
The arrested individuals have been handed over to the competent prosecuting authorities for further legal proceedings.
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