Kidnappers release Greek magnate

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Greek shipping magnate Pericles Panagopoulos - who was kidnapped at gunpoint last week - has been released, police say.

They say Mr Panagopoulos, aged 74, was found outside the capital Athens.

Unconfirmed reports say his family has paid millions in ransom to the unidentified abductors.

Mr Panagopoulos was seized, along with his driver, after their car was deliberately blocked by the gunmen in the seaside suburb of Kavouri.

Earlier this week, Mr Panagopoulos's wife said she was willing to pay millions in ransom as demanded by the attackers.

Mr Panagopoulos, who is said to be in poor health, is the founder of Greece's largest ferry company, Attica.

Kidnapping has recently reappeared as a criminal tactic in Greece.

Last year the aluminium tycoon George Mylonas spent two weeks in captivity but was released after his family reportedly handed over a ransom of 12m euros.

And a cardiologist snatched near Athens in December last year has still not been found. Police fear he may have been seriously hurt, or even killed, during the abduction.