Athens  - Greek shipping magnate Pericles Panagopoulos was freed unharmed by his abductors after a weeklong kidnapping in which a ransom was apparently paid, according to media reports early Tuesday in Greece.

The amount of the ransom was not known.

Panagopoulos, 74, founder of Greek ferry operator Superfast Ferries, was abducted on January 12 by three men carrying Kalashikov assault rifles as he was being driven to work. The chauffeur was quickly released and reported the kidnapping to police.

His case was Greece's third kidnapping of a prominent businessman in the last six months.

Panagopoulos was reported taken to a hospital for a precautionary checkup.

Last year, Panagopoulos sold his shipping company for about 250 million euros (325 million dollars). (dpa)