ATHENS – A pharmacist in Crete had his license taken away for six months and was given three years probation after being found guilty of falsifying COVID-19 rapid tests and charging 7 euros ($7.89) for each one.

Although Greek privacy laws allow the release of names of those convicted of crimes, none was given in this case nor was his pharmacy identified, CretaLive reporting probation was given on condition he give the University General Hospital of Heraklion 1000 euros ($1127.78) but no reason for the leniency for a crime which could have spread the deadly Coronavirus.

He also faces fines of 3,600 euros ($4,060) but no report how much money he made by being paid to put false results onto government platforms.

He had been charged with falsifying medical certificates and violating ongoing pandemic measures, at the risk of infecting an indefinite amount of people. He had requested a delay which was rejected by the court.

His business was said to be in the capital of Iraklio and he was arrested in a sting operation and charged with handing out COVID-19 negative rapid test results without conducting them.

Kathimerini said that it was told by sources it didn’t name that a plainclothes officer went into the pharmacy to take a test and that the pharmacist asked for his national insurance number to enter a negative result onto a national online platform.

The local pharmacists’ association said they would initiate disciplinary proceedings against him eventually.

In September, the New Democracy government introduced tough penalties for issuing fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates that give holders greater liberties on where they can go even though they could spread the virus faster.

That came after a worker at a state vaccination center was suspended for allegedly helping several dozen people acquire bogus documents.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris said then that Parliament approved an amendment to impose fines of 5,000 euros ($5,665) for each vaccination, recovery, or test certificate issued under false pretenses.