Dozens of people arrested in a weekend crackdown on an alleged criminal network in Crete, including a police officer and local businessmen, are scheduled to begin appearing in court this week to present their defenses.
Of the 48 people arrested in one of the largest anti-crime operations on the island in years, 17 are due in court on Thursday, with another 16 scheduled for Friday.
Defense lawyer Nikos Steiakakis described the case file as "voluminous," telling reporters that while the prosecution's case appears "stringent," it remains to be seen if the evidence fully supports the allegations.
The massive operation was launched after public outcry over the local police's mishandling of earlier serious crimes.
New commanders with no local ties were brought in from Athens to lead a new investigation.
Investigators used two undercover officers, who posed as hospitality workers for months to infiltrate the network, as well as extensive wiretaps that reportedly exposed the gang's operations.
Raids in Chania yielded caches of weapons, drugs, and money.
As the accused arrived at the courthouse in groups on Tuesday, one shouted to reporters, "This is just another fake criminal organization, fake!"