Knut Bry (75) was charged by the Greek authorities with espionage with a sentence of ten years. On Monday, he was released, but the court has not concluded.
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The award-winning photographer appeared for trial on Monday at 12 local time.
After well over three hours in court, the decision was made.
Knut Bry is released on bail of 4,000 euros, and that he is required to report one day before he arrives and travels from Greece.
– It is a very big relief, says Knut Bry to VG on the phone.
– I would like to take a shower now.
But investigations continue. This is confirmed by Knut Bry and his lawyer Haris Petsikosil to VG.
The court has not yet concluded on the question of whether Bry is guilty of espionage.
The court in Mytilene on Lesvos will decide this after the police have finished investigating, according to his lawyer.
Ten-year sentence
Wednesday last week was Bry arrested of the Greek Coast Guard. He has since been in custody, charged with espionage after taking pictures of a military vessel off the island of Lesvos.
The penalty for espionage charges is between five and ten years – in some cases even higher, according to lawyer Petsikos.
VG has tried without success to get in touch with the prosecution in Mytilene. They have previously said they do not want to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Can travel back to Norway
His lawyer, Haris Petsikos, says the most important thing now is to get Bry cleaned.
– We expect that he will be released completely after the investigation, he says to VG on the phone on Monday after the release became known.
– Of course no one thinks he’s a spy.
Lawyer Petsikos said before the court hearing that he was sure that the photographer would escape punishment because “there is no evidence that Bry has done anything wrong”.
– He took seven to eight pictures of two boats – a naval vessel and a boat from the Coast Guard – which were on their way out of the harbor. The photos were taken from a distance and could have been taken by anyone, the lawyer says previously told VG.
Even if the investigation continues, Bry is free to return to Norway, according to the lawyer.
Care about the espionage charges: – Fantasy
Police have confiscated the photographer’s Mac and phone, according to Bry. The photographer himself calls the espionage charges “fantasy”.
– The reason I took the picture was that there was a cloud of smoke out in the harbor here. Then I took pictures of it when I passed, he says about the photography of the military vessel that should have gotten him in trouble.
– They imagine that when I have taken pictures of this boat that I would sell it on to Turkey, he continues.
– First and foremost, I have no contacts in Turkey. So it’s simply fantasy.
– Now I have understood that you do not take pictures of military vessels, he adds.
–The cell: – Not quite five-star
Bry says it is a “very great relief” to be released from the cell where he has been sitting since last Wednesday, which he describes as “not quite five stars, but a different” experience.
– I’m not used to sleeping in a smooth cell with cold concrete and slippery walls, and I’m very glad I’m out of it, he says.
–VG has previously written about the cell the photographer has been imprisoned in, which the lawyer describes as “terrible”. The lawyer has visited him several times in the cell and stated that Bry was fine under the conditions.
– I was super lucky, says Bry now, and tells that friends of his from the neighboring restaurant came with food for him in the afternoon.
– I have had it as good as I could in that situation.
Great support
A large network of Norwegians has become involved in supporting the photographer. The support group on Facebook has gained over 3,500 members, something Bry himself describes as “absolutely incredible”.
– Refugees who come here and are arrested do not have the same opportunities to speak out, he says.
– Do not forget the refugees in this, it is they who are important, not me.
Originally, the court hearing was to take place on Friday, but the accused party requested more time to prepare, among other things to obtain documentation of the relief work Bry has done. Bry says he has worked with refugees on Lesvos for seven years, but that he has never helped refugees ashore on the island.
– Everyone who works with relief work for the refugees can very easily find themselves charged by the authorities in a case of a serious nature, his lawyer has previously told VG.
