ATHENS (Reuters) - A prominent Greek businessman, abducted two weeks ago, was released early on Monday and he said that a ransom, negotiated by his wife, had been paid out to his kidnappers.
George Milonas, 49, chairman of the Federation ofIndustries of Northern Greece and CEO of aluminium companyAlumil, was snatched at gunpoint on June 10 outside his home inthe northern city of Thessaloniki.
"He was set free after midnight," a police official, whodid not wish to be named, said. "He is back at home sound andsafe."
Milonas told reporters that a ransom was paid out afternegotiations, mainly through his wife, took place with thekidnappers. But he would not say how much had been paid.
"I had minimal contact with them (kidnappers). My wife didthe negotiating. Ransom was paid. The amount is for me and mywife only to know, nobody else," Milonas said.
Police had said the kidnappers had wanted 50 million euros($77.65 million) for his release.
"It (the kidnapping) was done for money, ransom. Last nightI returned home after 13 days. For me it was a bad experience.But, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Milonassaid.
He said he would step down as chairman of the federation tospend more time with his family. Milonas, who has threechildren, has been CEO of Alumil group since 1988. The businessis active throughout Greece, the Balkans, Africa and the MiddleEast.
Kidnappings in Greece are rare but the country suffered aspate of assassinations of businessmen and diplomats from 1975to 2003, mostly the work of the now-dismantled November 17group of extreme leftist urban guerrillas.
Trading in shares of Alumil resumed on Monday after theAthens stock exchange lifted a temporary suspension.
(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos; Editing by RichardBalmforth)
