Alleged kidnapper and torturer held in custody

A 52-year-old man who faces charges of repeatedly raping and torturing a 20-year-old female student while holding her hostage in his basement apartment in Dafni, Athens, was remanded in custody Tuesday.

The 52-year-old was remanded after defending himself before an investigating magistrate and prosecutor. The suspect, who was identified on Monday as Panayiotis Kontzilelos, reportedly contested the charges, claiming to be blind.

However, neighbors claim to have seen him riding a motorcycle.