The former treasurer of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) was given a 10-year jail sentence yesterday after being found guilty of embezzling more than 600,000 euros from Greece’s largest trade exhibition.

A three-member appeals court in Thessaloniki ruled that the suspect, whose initials were given as P.D., had stolen 643,000 euros between 2002 and 2004. He was also found guilty of forgery.

The man, whose age was not made public, took over the role of treasurer in 2000. One of his duties was to deposit and withdraw money from several bank accounts. No suspicions were raised until 2003 when accountants discovered that some money was missing.

The unnamed man appealed the decision but the court ruled that he will have to remain in custody until his appeal is heard.