Defendants testify in urban planning corruption scandal 

Two days of hearings in a corruption scandal involving urban planning officials across Halkidiki in northern Greece concluded late Saturday night with 20 of 21 arrested suspects testifying before an investigative judge.  

The remaining defendant, a department head at the Nea Propontida municipal building service, who was granted a new deadline on Saturday, will testify on Monday. 

All suspects who testified were released with and without restrictive orders, depending on their degree of involvement in the corruption case. 

Restrictions imposed on suspects include bans on leaving the country and/or appearing at police stations, or these restrictions plus bail ranging from €5,000 to €100,000. 

All the defendants denied the charges against them, which include directing or participating in a criminal organization, bribery, complicity in bribery, and money...