The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-02-14

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] First Criminal Proceedings Against Corrupt Judges Week of Radical Changes

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET 105.8

Supreme Court Assistant Prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas is commencing the criminal investigation of examiner Antonia Ilias case today. Cycles of the Supreme Court compare the case to the Hydra, since other justices are implicated, who used to set trials in favour of Archimandrite Giosakis. In the meantime, first instance judge Leonidas Stathis, who is reproached for bribery, is expected to testify again before the Assistant Prosecutor of the Supreme Court. What is more, the Appellate Judges Plenary Session will convene tomorrow in order to appoint a special interrogator, who will handle extrajudicial cases, while first instance judge Panagiota Tsevi will appear before the Supreme Court to provide explanations, as she has been referred on the question of definitive dismissal. Lastly, developments are expected in the case of the Amfissa Public Prosecutor, who appears to have had connections with drug dealers during his term in Athens.

In Depth Investigation

The evidence gathered is very important regarding the activity of almost 30 justices involved in illegal networks for releasing criminals, helping clergymen and bribing intended for acquitting rulings.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] New Revenue Policy at Noon Raises in Salaries and Pensions

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET 105.8

The government is expected to announce the new revenue policy at noon, which will include a 3.2% raise on the regular salaries of 450,000 civil servants. Raises in almost 260,000 civil servant pensions will be higher and range from 3.5 to 3.7%. Performance bonuses and other sums added to regular salaries will not increase, while monthly raises for this year will range from 24 to 55 euros. Raises in EKAS (pensioners social solidarity allowance) and farmers pensions will be more than double the inflation, as EKAS will increase by 10 euros per month and OGA pension by 15 euros, which will apply retrospectively since 01.01.2005. What is more, the Minister for the Interior, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, is expected to meet with Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) at 15.00.

European Decision Making

At the same time, the Government is examining measures to deal with fiscal problems in the context of decisions made by the European Commission for the decrease of deficits in Greece.

What is more, the EU Council is expected to adopt the Commission's recommendations in the meeting next Thursday. Greece will have to announce additional measures by 21 March for the limitation of deficits in 2006 and faithfully implement the current budget.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Economy and Finance is looking into the eventually of excluding the first residence and farming lands from the single tax which will be imposed on estates as of 01.01.2006. All changes on property taxation will be finalized by June and will apply from 2006 onwards.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Shiite Electoral Triumph Appeal for National Unity

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, ANA

The Shiite Alliance, supported by Ayatollah Ali Sistani, claimed victory in the 30 January elections with 48 percent, according to a Sunday announcement issued by the central election commission. In particular, the United Iraqi Alliance received 4,075,291 votes out of a total of 8,456,266 ballots cast. Right after the results were announced, Adel Abdel Mahdi, finance minister of the interim government, made an appeal for national unity in order to establish a new state. The electoral results signal the end of the Sunni domination, which governed Iraq over the past 80 years. The official results, after whatever objections, will be announced in three days. The White House congratulated the winners, as well as all candidates and voters for their courage to ignore threats and exercise their right to vote.

Sunnis Lose Power

Ethnic Kurdish parties won 2,175,551 votes, ie 26%, while a secular list led by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi got 14%, which translates into 1,168,943 votes.

The 275 seats of the Iraqi Parliament are divided as follows: Shia Alliance will occupy 132, Kurdish parties will be given 71 and Allawi will occupy 38. Gazi al Jiaouar Sunni party managed to win only 5 seats.

The loss of Sunni influence has aggravated after the majority denied to vote in the elections, thus obeying in the appeal of the Sunni council.

Sunni leader Adnan Pashasi expressed his disappointment for the limited representation of Sunnis in the Iraqi Parliament.

The Sunnis, who represent 20% of the 27-million population of the country have always controlled the political stage, armed and security forces. Since the time king Faisal I was enthroned on 23 August 1921 until the end of monarchy on 14 July 1958, only 5 of Iraq's prime minister were Shia.

Three Prevalent for Premiership

The Shias may have won the lion's share in the elections, however they are forced to look for partners if they wish to control the new Parliament and ensure the approval of the new Constitution.

Three are the most prevalent Shias to assume the powers of Prime Minister, while the is very little chance that interim prime minister Iyad Allawi will remain in office.

In particular, the three men are Finance Minister of the interim government Adel Abdel Mahdi, outgoing Vice President Ibrahim al Jaffari and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Two Sailors Missing Search Continues

By Viki Keleri

Cargo liner Sea Rey, which sent out an SOS distress signal at 4.15 in the morning, sank 85 nautical miles west of the island of Elafonisos, Crete. The ship originally sustained a mechanical malfunction and then there was inflow of water, probably because of a cargo shift. The Sea Rey, flying Saint Vincent's flag, carried containers and had a 10-member crew on board, out of which 8 Ukrainian sailors were rescued alive. The other two are still missing and rescue crews are trying to locate them. A Super Puma helicopter, a C-130, a NATO frigade, Navy ship "Promitheas" and three close sailing ships have rushed to the area. However, gales blowing in the area and reaching 11 on the Beauford scale render the rescue operation rather difficult.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Preliminary Hearing on Accident Causes Buried In Snow

By Viki Keleri

Unheard-of tragedy yesterday on Mt Mainalon in Arkadia, where five people lost their lives and another six were lightly injured, when they were buried by an avalanche. The unfortunate people were Foteini Sidirourgou, aged 27 from Nea Smirni, Fotis Varouxis, aged 48 from Markopoulo Attica, Emilios Charlaftis from Kifisia, Spyros Vetas, aged 24 from Piraeus and Diana Siele, aged 41 from Cholargos. As per the causes of the tragic accident, the Tripoli Police are holding a preliminary hearing. According to estimations, however, the avalanche was most probably caused when the climbers passed through a snow ledge on their way down. There was fresh snow on the surface and ice, rather than rocks as they would have expected, which broke underneath them.

Marathon Recovery Operation

Most climbers were buried in snow, while the head of the mission managed to call the Fire Brigade that rushed to the area.

Caterpillars with EMAK members on board, ambulances, members of the Hellenic Rescue Crew and a Super Puma helicopter also arrived in the area to help recover the victims.

The firemen had to walk for hours on the snowy slopes in order to carry the dead and injured at the location where ambulances were waiting.

The bodies of the five victims will be taken to Athenian hospitals for an autopsy, while only one of the six injured people that had been transferred to the Panarkadiko Hospital remains hospitalized.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Tragedy With Five Climbers on Mainalon

[06] The Commission Approved the Secondment F. Nanopoulos to the Economy Ministry

By Athina Saloustrou

The European Commission decided to allow the secondment of Professor Fotis Nanopoulos, Director of Eurostat for the last twenty years, to the Greek Economy Ministry. The decision was made following the request of the Ministry to the relevant Commissioner, and aiming to reinforce the team that handles regional restructuring and the quality of statistical data. Mr Nanopoulos will be appointed as advisor to Deputy Minister Folias and will be closely collaborating with General Secretaries Mr Mousouroulis, also former member of the European Commission, and Mr Kontospyrakis of the Greek National Statistical Service, who also carried out the last fiscal inventory. The request of the Greek Government had been pending for a long time and the decision kept being postponed, awaiting the completion of the Official Inquiry and the issuing of an acquittal for Mr Nanopoulos, whose name had been linked to the Eurostat scandal.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Because of Insurance Bank Employees on Strike

By Viki Keleri

Today banks are operating with emergency staff because of the 24hour strike called by OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions ) following the breakdown of negotiations between the management of the banks, the employees and the government regarding insurance. In the meantime, all OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization) employees are also on a 24-hour strike, demanding that the management does not go ahead with implementing the measure of voluntary retirement, before securing that the financial incentives are satisfactory.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] PAO Edges Forward

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The first loss of points for Olympiacos in Karaiskakis Stadium against the always-respectable team of Xanthi was probably the main highlight of the 18th round in the Greek Football Championship. With many absences from its main lineup, Olympiacos did not manage to make it this time round. Playing against a team that has surprised everyone with its performance this year, Dusan Bajevics players did not manage to score their 13th consecutive victory on home pitch, during a game that was played behind closed doors yet again. The effort by coach Giannis Mantzourakis is amazing. Xanthi is now in fourth place in the rankings with 30 points overall and as things go, it will probably finish in a spot that will guarantee a place in the UEFA Cup. On the other hand, Panathinaikos cashed in on Olympiacos mishap in the best possible way, unleashing its fury over Apollo Kalamaria and reaching within five points of the leader.

An Outburst or a New Start?

The issue, however, is whether Panathinaikos has actually overcome the crisis it was going through or whether the five goals it scored against Kalamaria were just an outburst.

Because if it is a new start, then the request of President Argryros Mitsou, ie victories until the end of the Championship and winning the title, although quite difficult, may be possible; since despite the many absentees from the team roster, it demonstrated that it has some very good players, who can chase titles, at least locally.

The only thing Panathinaikos possibly needs to do is have the new players tie in with the old and become a unified team. A team that knows what it does and moves confidently on the pitch, covering all gaps based on strategic game plays and not improvised actions, which was the case in the Cup match against AEK that cost them dearly.

However, if this was just an outburst to release some steam, then it is quite possible that they may trip up once again, which would be a major setback for the reigning champions. And this would be due, firstly, to the fact that the team is at the moment being coached by an interim trainer, Totis Fylakouris, while they are waiting for a new coach; and secondly, the major issue is what this new person will have time to do in the middle of the season.

Will he be able to implement a new strategy? This seems quite complicated, seeing that on the one hand, he would never have coached the team before, while on the other hand, he will also have to deal with the fans, who are demanding the title.

Will he be able to lead his team to the championship? It may be possible, provided he is supported by the management, as well as the players, who will have to sweat it out in order to achieve what they much desire.

On the other hand, Apollo Kalamaria deserves to be congratulated, since, although they are facing relegation, they tried hard, played offensively and did not block the team in the defence.

With regard to AEK, it lost some valuable ground, as far as the title is concerned, by drawing against Panionios in Nea Smyrni. Despite the fact that nothing has been lost yet, with the two upcoming tough away matches against Panathinaikos and Olympiacos it should probably set its sights on second place and a spot in the Champions League. This is probably not an impossible feat, considering the team that Santos has managed to build up so far. On the other hand, its position in the UEFA Cup is guaranteed.

Now, regarding the positions that actually lead to the UEFA Cup, apart from Xanthi that has probably sealed a place, the possible contenders who will fight for the other two spots are: PAOK (25pts), Egaleo (25pts), OFI (23pts), Kallithea (22pts after a valuable win over Chalkidona), Chalkidona (22pts), Iraklis (22pts Iraklis seems to have found its pace, especially after his victory over PAOK) and Panionios (21pts).

Things, though, also seem to be complicated at the bottom of the rankings, since Aris (19pts), Ionikos (18pts), Ergotelis (16pts), Apollo Kalamaria (15pts) and Kerkyra (14pts) are all battling it out to stay in the A Ethniki.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Nothing Changed at the Top

By Vasilis Kalpinos

By converting the match against Olympiacos into a walk in the park, Panathinaikos trampled all over the Piraeus team with a score of 86-55 and remained at the top of the basketball rankings. Now it will play with renewed strength next Saturday in Iraklio, Crete, where it will face Aris for the final of the Greek Basketball Cup. What was even more impressive, though, were the 10,000 Panathinaikos fans who flocked the Olympic Hall, but were compensated by Obradovics boys in the best possible way.

Looking for Number 3

Marousi scored a significant win over AEK and as things go, it will have no problems staying in second place in the rankings. On the other hand, AEK missed its opportunity to reach second place behind Panathinaikos and it is now almost impossible to catch up. It is also worth noting that Marousi is one game behind.

So, now the third place seems to have many contenders, including PAOK, which is not playing this week, but will be facing Apollo Patra on 20/02, as well as Aris, which lost to Panionios. The latter is also monitoring the situation from up close, since its victory over AEK last week, as well as that over Charles Bartons team yesterday, have put the team back in the race. Finally, Makedonikos, which easily defeated Ment, is also in a very good position.

Battle at the Bottom

Ionikos-Amaliada scored a very decisive away win yesterday over Iraklis and thus has renewed its hopes for staying in Division 1 in the Greek Basketball Championship.

On the other hand, Iraklis demonstrated yet again that it has been performing quite badly this season and even managing to compete in the playoffs would be a success for the team. As far as Ment is concerned, following its loss to Makedonikos, it will have to try very hard in order to stay in this Division.

Finally, in the game between the two teams at the bottom of the rankings, Olympia Larisa made a very decisive step towards staying in the premiere league by defeating Panellinios on home ground. On the other hand, Olympia dropped to the last spot and things are not looking good for the team.

The Results

Iraklis Ionikos-Amaliada 76-82

Makedonikos Ment 87-74

Panionios Aris 79-73

Marousi AEK 75-71

Olympia Larisa Panellinios 82-77

Panathinaikos Olympiacos 86-55

PAOK Apollo Patra 20/02

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Storms and Gales

By Betty Savourdou

The weather is taking a new turn for the worse as of Monday afternoon. According to the HNMS there will be heavy rainfalls and storms in Epirus, the Ionian islands, western Sterea and the western Peloponnese, while southern winds will even reach 11 on the Beaufort scale. These weather conditions will cover the rest of the country by Tuesday. Because of gales blowing in the Aegean, ships performing routes to the Aegean islands, Crete and the Dodecanese, have docked in the ports of Piraeus and Rafina.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] New Examiner to be Appointed on Tuesday Full Week for Extrajudicial Network

Sources: NET 105.8

The Supreme Courts investigation into corrupt judicial officers and the extrajudicial network in the area of Justice is intensifying tomorrow. The Supreme Court Assistant Prosecutor, Giorgos Sanidas, will commence a criminal investigation into the case of Examiner Antonia Ilia, who is alleged to be the key player of a network that was involved in illegal activities on behalf of Iakovos Giosakis. The interest of the Supreme Court also seems to be focusing on a Public Prosecutor, who is alleged to have been linked to drug dealers. Meanwhile, the Appellate Judges Plenary Session will convene on Tuesday, in order to appoint a special Examiner, who will handle the cases relating to the extrajudicial network, while First Instance Judge Panagiota Tsevi has been subpoenaed to appear before the relevant judicial officials of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, in order to present her defence. At the same time, a new wave of transfers of judicial officers, who have pending accusations against them regarding favouritisms, is expected, while the Supreme Court is continuing its probes into dozens of "iffy" cases that had been put to trial in Thessaloniki and Piraeus.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Stathis Denies Everything

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