Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-04-20

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Athens court finds guilty defendants in Helios air crash

[02] Social Platform calls for strengthening social EU dimension

[01] Athens court finds guilty defendants in Helios air crash

The defendants are Helios' managing director Demetris Pantazis, flight operations manager Giorgos Kikkides, chief pilot Ianko Stoimenov and chief engineer Alan Irwin.

The trial was held in Athens, site of the crash. They face charges of negligent manslaughter, and according to Greek law, it carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The sentencing is expected to be announced.

In December 2011, the Assize Court in Nicosia cleared Executive Chairman Andreas Drakos, Pantazis, Kikidis and Stoimenov, on the basis that the indictment was unsubstantiated since there was no evidence that associated them with the tragedy. The Attorney-General lodged an appeal and the first hearing in the appeal against the Nicosia Assize Court's decision will take place on May 3.

On August 14, 2005 121 people were killed when an HELIOS Boeing 737 crashed into the mountainside of Grammatiko, north of the Greek capital, on its way to Prague. Most victims were holidaymakers from Cyprus. Five persons were facing charges of manslaughter and causing the death of all 121 people on board by reckless, dangerous and careless action.

[02] Social Platform calls for strengthening social EU dimension

The objective of the meeting was to discuss the social dimension of the Cypriot EU presidency priorities from July to December 2012. For the last three years, Social Platform has been advocating for the Council to take into account the social consequences of the crisis in the decisions made by the EU and for the integration of a social pillar in the economic governance to counteract these consequences. This social pillar should give priority to the promotion of social protection, social justice, quality jobs, and a sustainable economy while combating inequalities.

The meeting also aimed at building alliances between European and Cypriot CSOs to join forces towards the upcoming Cyprus EU Presidency. Conny Reuter, President of the Social Platform pointed out that fiscal consolidation in the EU and member states should be accompanied by social purging.

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