Volos police officer released under restrictions amid bribery investigation

A 42-year-old police officer in Volos has been released under restrictive conditions following allegations of bribery, breach of duty, and abuse of power. The officer is accused of soliciting money from citizens to cancel or avoid traffic violations.

Surveillance footage authorized by the Prosecutor of Appeals in Thessaloniki captured a meeting within the Volos Police Station, where the officer allegedly received 350 euros from a Pakistani national to settle a traffic offense. The recorded interaction included the exchange of cash in a brown envelope.

The defense argues that the actions did not constitute permanent bribery or embezzlement, but rather an illegal practice where the officer intended to return the funds to the state at a later date. Defense counsel described the incident as the officer effectively ‘borrowing’ from the public treasury, noting that traffic citations were still being officially recorded. The officer has been ordered to pay a 1,000 euro guarantee and is prohibited from leaving the country while judicial and disciplinary investigations continue.