ATHENS — Former Marathon Mayor Elias Psinakis was released on bail by a court on Wednesday, after testifying over the devastating fire at Mati which left 102 dead in July 2018 and many others injured.

In his four-hour testimony before an investigating magistrate, Psinakis, one of several individuals called to testify on the disaster, said that his municipality had taken all required measures to prevent fires, and said that Marathon was prepared to evacuate but was not asked to do so.

Psinakis also presented authorities with a 42-page document backed by 31 other documents to refute charges levelled against him. His bail was set at 20,000 euros.

The public prosecutor instigated an investigation and prosecution of 20 people for various charges related to dereliction of duty. They include mayors of towns in the area and the former Attica Region director Rena Dourou.