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Teen tourist faces up to 10 years breaking rocks for palming rock in Greece
A B.C. teenager accused of taking a stone from the Acropolis will be allowed to return home to Canada pending her trial in Greece.Translation: Will be found guilty in absentia. Madelaine Gierc, 16, of Duncan, was arrested Sunday after a security guard alleged she removed a stone from the 2,500-year-old Parthenon. She was charged with illegally possessing antiquities. "It's just a small stone for my rock collection, Officer." On Tuesday, Investigating Magistrate Melpomeni Chiotou ruled Gierc wouldn't be held until the trial, for which a date hasn't been set. "If she leaves, we are in no rush." If convicted, she faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, but such harsh sentences are rarely imposed. Madelaine's mother, Lael Gierc, said she's elated and relieved that her daughter will be coming home. She told Canadian Press that Madelaine picked up the rock to use as a prop in a photo and was whisked away by a security guard. The girl's father, Tom Gierc, was travelling to Athens to pick up his daughter. Round trip at full fare -- she's got more to fear from him than the Greeks! Under Greece's protection laws, it is illegal to own, buy, sell or excavate antiquities without a special permit. Posted by: Tom 2005-03-26 |
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