Businessman George Milonas explained second by second his experiences as a hostage to Vassilis Paleokostas and his gang to the three-member Court of Appeal in Thessaloniki. He was captive for 13 days in Souroti village and released after his wife paid ransom of over €10 million.
Keeping his self-control before the court, Mr. Milonas said that during his captivity he has reconciled with the thought that he will not come out alive from there, but feared for the life of his wife and three children. "Kill me so we can finish and no one else gets hurt," said he to his captors.
The kidnappers gave him newspapers to read and when he found out how high the ransom is, Milonas decided was his end, because his family did not have €30 million. The businessman tried to explain to Paleokostas that it is impossible to pay that amount, and the most they can get is €3 million. "All this hullabaloo for €3 million?" Was the answer of the kidnapper, who eventually succeeded to take from the businessman’s wife over €10 million.
In another conversation Paleokostas revealed to Milonas that his name appears in a list of wealthy businessmen from Athens, but they ultimately chose him because he was the easiest to kidnap and "even the state would pay" to release him.
"I am a fat guy, do not put me in the trunk of the car or at least find a car with a large trunk" said the businessman to his captors on the day of his release. "We got so much money and we will put you in the trunk?" they replied and told him that they have provide a BMW, so he can return home. During the drive to where they had to leave him, the conversation was revolving around the travels of Milonas in various exotic places. "They told me they had gone to Latin America, Shanghai and other places and they asked me about my trips," said Mr. Milonas.
The former chairman of the Federation of Industrialists of Northern Greece, described his abductor as a man with a “clear and specific thought," noting that he was very well informed about his business and he was watching him since 1995. "If you are Milonas – the boss of aluminum, then we are the Vardinoyani family of abductions," said the 43-year-old Paleokostas at their first meeting after he was captured by the police for the kidnapping.
In his testimony before the court George Milonas pointed Asimaki Lazaridis, Vangelis Hrisohoidis, and Polikarpos Georgiadis as participants in the four-member gang that kidnapped him. Lazardis had confessed his participation in the kidnapping, while the other two deny their actions.
At yesterday's meeting Milonas’ wife, who negotiated with the kidnappers and gave the ransom, testified in the court. During their conversations they have told her that "if you do not do as we tell you, we will kill him and you will never find him." Nelly Milonas maintained her composure during the trial and showed no hostility towards the kidnappers, saying they behaved humanly towards her husband.
The case was interrupted due to time restrains and will continue on Friday as by the end 70 witnesses will be questioned. 11 people are charged in the case and prime suspect is Vassilis Paleokostas, who was arrested but is now free. He escaped by helicopter in February of last year from Koridalos prison and since then he cannot be found.
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