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All seven suspects arrested last week for their alleged involvement in an urban planning corruption ring on Rhodes have testified in preliminary hearings, denying the corruption-related charges against them.
A decision from the investigating judge and prosecutor on whether to release the suspects on probation or remand them in custody is expected imminently, according to sources.
The defendants – five urban planning employees, a private architect, and a civil engineer – are accused of soliciting bribes in exchange for issuing urban planning permits, bypassing regulations, approving unauthorized expansions, facilitating illegal construction, forging documents, and even engaging in extortion.
Authorities believe the network had been active on Rhodes for several years, allegedly demanding payments ranging from €1,000 to €10,000, depending on the type of service provided.
The seven suspects were arrested on March 19, following months of surveillance.
[Kathimerini, AMNA]