Plane spotters freed from jail

The 12 British planespotters jailed in Greece on spying allegations have today been freed on bail.

Following a month of bitter controversy, the Greek authorities confounded expectations once more by releasing the prisoners from Napflion jail in small groups rather than all at once.

Trip organiser Paul Coppin, 45, and Wayne Groves, 38, of Tamworth, Staffs, left the prison gates just before lunchtime. They were driven to a police station, where final arrangements for their release were being made, and then the car returned to the jail to collect another pair.

The one woman in the group, Mr Coppin's wife Lesley, 51, was later released from top-security Korydalos women's jail, near Athens.

The 12 were given £9,000 bail after three judges rejected a prosecutor's demand that they should face spying charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. The group, along with two Dutch men, now face misdemeanour charges, for which the maximum is five years.

The Dutchmen were the first to leave left Nafplion prison, waving but saying nothing, as a new row erupted over claims that the group will escape prosecution altogether if they leave without criticising the authorities. Defence lawyers understand that if the plane-spotters leave Greece quietly, without threatening any legal action, the case may either be dropped or not guilty verdicts will be returned.

The group were arrested a month ago at a Greek air show in Kalamata for allegedly illegally taking photographs.

Perdita Norris of Uxbridge took out a loan to free her husband Peter. She said: "This may not be the end to the affair, but it will certainly be a huge step forward, just to have Peter home again."