Two men accused of the attempted murder of a Greek-Canadian businessman in a brutal beating in Crete last year have been released from prison pending trial, after the victim’s family reportedly reached a financial settlement with the accused.
The two men, aged 32 and 33, had been held in pretrial detention for nearly 12 months.
They will now await trial under restrictive conditions, including a travel ban and a requirement to report to police three times a month.
The case involves the savage beating of the victim, Manolis Kakoulakis, outside a Heraklion bar in July 2024. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple facial fractures after being struck in the head with a chair and repeatedly kicked while unconscious.
A lawyer for the victim's family, Manolis Troulis, stated in court that his client no longer has claims against the defendants, confirming a reconciliation that includes financial restitution. While the suspects will still face a jury trial for attempted murder, the court ordered their release, citing their good conduct in prison and efforts to repair the harm caused.