Ivan & Martin Free on bail

[SmashT 10907]

Update: Home and smiling.

http://twitter.com/r...851470867935232

This morning around 8:30AM the news reached us that Ivan and Martin are free on Bail. The bail-sum was set to 5000 Euro’s each.

Checkout the English transcripts of Czech media :

www.novinky.cz :

Two Czechs suspected of espionage in Greece are free

As a result of repeated dealings, today the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras informed Czech PM Petr Nečas over the telephone that the two Czech arrested by Greek police because of supposed photography of military objects on the island of Lemnos have been released. Both can now return back to the Czech Republic. PM Petr Nečas expressed appreciation for the efforts of PM Antonis Samaras and thanked him,” said Petr Nečas’ spokesperson Michal Schuster on Tuesday. Both men aged 28 and 33 years, who work for a video game-producing company Bohemia Interactive faced up to 20 years in prison if they were convicted.

The men supposedly rerecorded and photographed strategic military objects to be used in an upcoming military shooter.

After Bohemia Interactive denied that its employees were in Greece and illegally obtained photos as part of their work, the Czech President Václav Klaus also sided with them when he sent a letter to his Greek counterpart Karlos Papoulias with a request for their release.

www.ceskatelevize.cz :

The Czechs detained in Greece to pay bail and return home

Athens/Prague – Two developers from Czech Republic who were held in a Greek jail since September on suspicion of espionage will be, according to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released on bail. Several days ago their attorney Dagmar Raupachová said that the Greek authorities should make a decision regarding their further appeal during January, mid February at the latest. Martin Pezlar and Ivan Buchta will be able to return back to the Czech Republic once they are released. Prime Minister Petr Nečas was so informed by his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras.

“We received this information from the attorney of the two arrested, who informed us, that they will be released as soon as they pay the bail,” told Česká Televize the deputy ambassador in Greece Miloš Kučera. The bail has been, according to him, set to 5 thousand Euro. “We have an unconfirmed report that both families have the money available and are discussing transferring the money to Greece with their attorney,” Mr. Kučera added. He highlights that this is just a release on bail, it isn't a definitive end of the cause, court dealings will continue further. The time frame cannot be estimated, Greek judges are still on strike.

“So far me do not have the decision in a written form,” Dagmar Raupachová said. The attorney that monitors the case on request of the family therefore, according to her own words, does not want to comment on the case much yet. She is happy that her long-term effort wasn’t for nothing. According to her the whole administrative matter should be resolved within several days.

Government’s spokesperson Michal Schuster: “As a result of repeated dealings, today the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras informed the Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas over the telephone that the two Czech arrested by Greek police because of supposed photography of military objects on the island of Lemnos have been released. Petr Nečas expressed appreciation for the efforts of PM Antonis Samaras and thanked him.” The pair of game developers were arrested by the Greek police due to photography of military objects. According to information from Greek press the two men were monitored since their arrival by the Greek security service who supposedly also contacted Czech security services.

An appeal for their release of the detained Czechs has previously come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Petr Nečas and even a presidential letter by Václav Klaus, all until now unsuccessful.

www.idnes.cz

Czechs detained in Greece can be released on bail, soon to be home

Two Czech developers who are being detained in Greece on suspicion of espionage since September will be released and will be able to return to the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed and added that the bail is set to 5,000 Euro for each – approximatedly 128 thousand KČ. The mother of one of the detained – Iveta Pezlarová – reacted to the information about her son’s release very emotionally. “I cannot describe, we rather didn’t count on anything. It’s unbelievable,” she sobbed while on the telephone.

Both Czechs – 28 years old Martin Pezlar and 33 years old Ivan Buchta – were arrested on the island of Lemnos in September. According to Greek authorities they were illegally photographing local military objects. The Czechs refuted that and said they were there on holiday and were only taking pictures as a reminder of the holiday. That was, however, in conflict with the fact that they were found with at least 7 photos and 7 videos (sic) of “sensitive” material. Both are also employees of a Czech IT company developing digital war games (sic), including one that shows Lemnos including its military objects. The Greek media, on the other hand, has stated that their arrest was probably prepared in advance. Since their arrival they were supposed to be followed by Greek security service and the arrest by the police was done based on their instructions.

Their release was agreed on by prime ministers

According to previous news from Greek press, the Greek police said the men were taking pictures on Lemnos for an upcoming game. [bohemia Interactive] has denied that the two were on the island as part of their job and later stated that they went there for a personal holiday and all the photos were taken because they were tourists.

Czech politicians have gotten involved in the matter, from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg all the way to President Václav Klaus. Near the end of the case communication between prime ministers of both countries took place.

“As a result of repeated dealings, today the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras informed Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas over the telephone that the two Czechs arrested by Greek police because of supposed photography of military objects on the island of Lemnos have been released,” said government’s spokesperson Michal Schuster. According to him, Mr. Nečas appreciated Mr. Samaras’ efforts.

The Greek media have stated before Christmas, pointing to the court files, that Buchta’s and Pezlar’s arrest was probably prepared in advance. Since their arrival they were supposed to be followed by Greek security service and the subsequent arrest by the police was done based on their instructions

http://www.helpivanm...n-free-on-bail/

Edited January 17, 2013 by smasht_AU

[OrLoK 16182]

woot! A step closer to freedom.

Edited January 15, 2013 by orlok

[rhinocrunch 471]

Coincidence I post a video about releasing them...next day they are released....just sayin.....

KIDDING!!!

This is great stuff

[VeNoM56k 158]

Thats excellent news.Hope they get home soon.

[Redonis 21]

Good News!

[lappihuan 26]

Out on bail B)

[Mr Nasty 1023]

This is wonderful news. Beans to everyone who contributed to their cause. Now lets hope they can clear their good names and go back to living normal lives and putting this all behind them. Cheers.

[mzltv 2281]

Great news. Hopefully the Greek authorities will soon come to know that Bohemia Interactive aren't twinned with terrorist cells around the world.

[babydoc (DayZ) 96]

Finally!

Next stop Hollywood! :)

[Mr Nasty 1023]

Finally!

Next stop Chernarus+! :)

Fixed. :)

[boneboys 7988]

Yasou (Greek for cheers / health / expression of joy / hello / goodbye, any thing you like.

Great News.

Now, let's get them home, as soon as possible.

[boneboys 7988]

Get it on the Top Page...

[mdmonnik@deakin.edu.au 139]

Awesome, give them a good nights rest then get them straight back onto the DayZ dev team, no rest for the wicked.

LOLOL I joke I joke, prayers for them and the family, I hope they spend some quality time recovering and with loved ones.

[bezki 31]

i am so reliefed for them. so happy they can go home to their families.(thats i think not sure yet but they faced up to 20 years and got a bail with just 5k??? for me its a clear indication that this whole crappy situation will be under the carpet soon.

Edited January 15, 2013 by Bezki

[Gruso (DayZ) 81]

Fantastic news :)

[drpoonhammer 48]

Yay!

[ImageCtrl 719]

All the best, GratZ. :thumbsup:

[Sutinen 635]

Saw it on Rocket's twitter, great news.

[Macev 5]

It took far too long...

Think, about four months in that s**t hole.

I hope they can continue normal life soon.

[AusDayZ (DayZ) 14]

Great news, next step to throw out the charges as ridiculous and recompense them for time lost.

[HooWoo 107]

Awesome, did they get to see their relatives in that time? If not I hope they're enjoying the time together

[Dr Klunk 11]

http://www.helpivanmartin.org/2013/01/ivan-martin-free-on-bail/

I say "hurray"...

[Dr Klunk 11]

finally!.. my most sincere congratulations to them and their family!

[jaymacca 52]

Four months in a foreign prison, fuck that, glad they're finally able to get away from there - next step, get the charges wiped. Well deserved rest and family to see is next on the agenda no doubt.

[Play (DayZ) 123]

Very good news!!!