Kidnappers freed Greek shipping magnate Pericles Panagopoulos from a week of captivity today after a ransom payment by his family, police said.
The 74-year-old founder of Greek ferry operator Superfast Ferries was snatched during the day by three armed men in Athens's coastal suburb of Kavouri on January 12th, in Greece's third high-profile abduction since June.
The kidnapping occurred amid the suspected re-emergence of the left-wing Revolutionary Struggle guerrilla group, but police said it was believed to be the work of a criminal gang.
"The police picked up Mr Panagopoulos at about 1.30 this morning after being informed of his whereabouts," said a police official. Mr Panagopoulos was found in the town of Aspropyrgos, about 20km west of Athens.
"The kidnappers called his wife and told her of his location, and she then called us. He is being taken to hospital to undergo health checks," said the police official.
No details of the ransom figure were given but police sources said the payment was handed over by Mr Panagopoulos's wife and driver.
When Mr Panagopoulos was abducted, the driver was left tied to a tree but managed to free himself and informed police. A fire-damaged car and van found later in northeast Athens were believed to have belonged to the abductors.
Reuters