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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-01-11Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Deputy public order minister resignsDeputy public order minister Christos Markoyannakis submitted his resignation to prime minister Costas Karamanlis late Tuesday night "so as not to put the government in an awkward position" following broadcasts on several television stations excerpts of a taped statement in which the deputy minister was heard to use harsh language in reference to Areios Pagos (Greek supreme court) prosecutor Dimitris Linos, which Markoyannakis said had been used by the media "out of context" in order to "create mistaken impressions", adding that he has always and continued to honour and respect the justice system and its functionairies "which I served for many years as a prosecutor".Markoyannakis further said that he reserved the descretion to exercise all his legal rights over the affair, explaining that statements he made during a private coversation with party "friends" had been secretly taped, and used out of context. "In order not to put the government in an awkward position, I have submitted my resignation to prime minister Karamanlis," Markoyannakis said in a statement issued shortly after midnight. "I declare that I have always respected and respect Justice, which I served as a prosecutor for many years, and honour its functionairies," he said. "I regret that opinions expressed during a private conversation with party 'friends' of mine have been isolated in order to create mistaken impressions," Markoyannakis continued. "An important question arises, however, as to whether someone has the right to secretly record a private conversation of any Greek citizen," the former deputy minister stressed, adding that he reserved his right to take all legal action. Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that "we all owe respect to Justice and its functionairies, and (the ruling) New Democracy and its cadres have through the course of years proven this respect". The president of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors called an urgent meeting of the Union's board for Wednesday to take decisions on the developments. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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