The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-02-23

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Avalanche of Revelations Over Church Crisis Giosakis in the Archbishopric

By Annita Paschalinou

The relations of Archbishop Christodoulos with Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis, one of the issues of the ecclesiastical crisis, are under the limelight once again, after the testimony of Supreme Court judge Christos Baltas. The judge testified that Giosakis had mediated for two meetings with Christodoulos, which in fact took place in his presence. Issuing an announcement, the Archbishopric confirmed that Giosakis indeed escorted the justices in February 2004 at the meeting with the Archbishop. It is however underlined that Archbishop Christodoulos didnt know who had mediated for the meeting and that he had mistakenly and for reasons of politeness not asked Giosakis to withdraw from the meeting. A while ago and for the first time, Patriarch Eirinaios admitted via his Press spokesperson in Athens, that Archbishop Christodoulos had sent Vavilis to Jerusalem.

The Archbishopric's Stance

Speaking on NET radio 105.8, the spokesperson of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to Athens admitted that the Archbishop had sent Apostolos Vavilis to Jerusalem to help with security measures. The Metropolitan Bishop Kyriakos of Nazareth also confirmed these statements speaking on a TV station.

The Archbishopric's Press office refuted this information and stressed in announcement that Archbishop Christodoulos "has never sent someone in Jerusalem as an official or even unofficial representative in order to help in the election of the Patriarch Eirinaios of Jerusalem or reinforce him after his election."

The announcement also included "we simply wonder as would any citizen of this country, where does the Patriarchate of Jerusalem base these allegations, as they were cited by the Metropolitan Bishop Kyriakos of Nazareth."

Earlier, in an attempt to answer back to all the revelations that have surfaced and link Mr Christodoulos to Giosakis, the Archbishopric issued an announcement which cited among other things a systematic effort to smear the Archbishop through the Giosakis case with fabricated news that have leaked to serve particular purposes. So, even though confirming that Giosakis had indeed escorted justices at the meeting with the Archbishop in February 2004, it is also repeated that Mr Christodoulos "never had nor has any relation with him" and that "he had never placed him in any position in the Holy Synod."

The announcement also stressed that the Archbishop could not have known who had mediated for the appointment with the justices, as he exclusively talks with the members of his private office on any issue. What is more, it was a mistake that the Primus of the Greek Church did not express his discontent for the presence of Giosakis in the meetings and had not asked for his withdrawal.

The presence of Giosakis in the meeting of the Archbishop with the justices constitutes, according to the announcement, "another indication of a systematic relation, communication, contact and cooperation of one or some justices who was or were connected to the archimandrite in custody." An indication which becomes even more crucial, as Giosakis indeed escorted justices and attended the meeting with Christodoulos after their request.

The announcement also refuted the alleged visit of Giosakis and Appellate assistant Public Prosecutor Nikos Athanasopoulos to the Archbishop's house.

Metropolitan Bishop of Chios

The long announcement of the Archbishopric also asked of the two Metropolitan Bishops, allegedly co-holders of huge bank accounts in the USA, to appear before the Continuous Holy Synod next Tuesday (1 March) and provide explanations on the matter.

Furious, the Metropolitan Bishop of Chios, who was accused by an unknown man via an e-mail of having billions of dollars in a New York bank and four joint bank accounts with Metropolitan Bishop Panteleimon of Attica which rise to 17 million dollars, flatly denied everything.

He admitted having a bank account of 250,000 euros, which he is willing to donate for educational purposes. At the same time, he declared he had no relations with the Metropolitan Bishop of Attica and committed to raise the issue in the Holy Synod on Tuesday.

The sender of the e-mail introduced himself as Stelios Karras and said he worked for the US bank.

The Issue With Epifanios

At the same time, the Archbishopric said the case of Archimandrite Epifanios, who contacted an outlaw to buy off incriminating evidence against a Metropolitan Bishop, will be investigated, even though the Archbishop did not accept his resignation.

The Archbishop ordered a Bishop to hold an emergency official inquiry in order to clarify the case of Epifanios, who is in suspension.

The issue has been referred to Justice.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] He Was Also Spotted in Thailand New Evidence For Vavilis Case

By Viki Keleri

Revelations continue in the form of an avalanche regarding the Vavilis case. Testifying to the police, his ex-wife Mali Koen said she had no relations with him since 2001 and denied having visited any of his apartments. However, new information which have come to light by NET indicate that in one of Vavilis' apartments in Cholargos there was a fingerprint of hers, most probably on a table. At the same time, it is revealed in an exclusive NET story that Mrs Koen had called particular landline numbers in Thailand in January and two Greek mobile numbers, at a time when according to information Vavilis was seen in the country.

Investigations Focus on his Family

Those claiming to have seen Vavilis in Thailand participated in the dispatch of humanitarian aid in the area and said he introduced himself as a police officer serving at the Greek embassy of China. As it appears, the owners of the Greek mobile numbers answered their calls after receiving a warning missed call first.

In fact, calls to and from Koen were more often and with greater duration when TV shows revealed new evidence for Vavilis' activities.

In the meantime, retired Police Officer Giannis Triantafyllakis testified today, as well as one of his cousins, owner of a store on Dimitsana street which used to sell weapons in the past and belonged to Vavilis' mother.

The investigation so far has not proved that Triantafyllakis' cousin was working for Vavilis, but the store appears to have been the headquarters of the Magna Grecia Foundation which took action in Southern Italy.

As he said, the retired Police Officer had asked for his permission to declare the address of the store as the address of the foundation and he had no objections. At the same time, investigation for the location of Vavilis focus on his close environment.

The Attica Police Department have informed Magnisia in order to take a statement from Vavilis' mother, while his brother is also wanted, as the motorcycle Vavilis was using was registered in his name.

And while the police are coming closer to tracking down Vavilis, there was turmoil this afternoon at the Air Force General Hospital, as there were rumours that the wanted man was hospitalized there. All rooms were thoroughly checked but noone by the name of Apostolos Vavilis was found. Security measures remain strict and all vehicles coming in and out are controlled.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Starless Galaxy

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

British astronomers announced that they have discovered an object that appears to be an invisible galaxy made up exclusively of dark matter. Researchers at Cardiff University in Wales, Great Britain, claim that they are the first to have made this discovery and explain what their discovery is. A dark galaxy is an area in the universe that contains a large amount of mass that rotates like a normal galaxy, but contains no stars. The mysterious galaxy, which was named VIRGOHI21, was discovered at a distance of 50 million light years with the aid of radio-telescopes in Northwest England, in Cheshire, and in Puerto Rico. The unknown matter, which is believed to hold these dark galaxies together, is known as "dark matter" but scientists continue to know very little about what it is exactly.

The five-year research has involved studying the distribution of hydrogen atoms throughout the Universe, estimated by looking at the rotation of galaxies and the speed at which their components moved. Hydrogen gas releases radiation that can be traced. In the Virgo cluster, a mass of hydrogen atoms 100,000,000 times the mass of the Sun was located.

Similar objects that have been discovered in the past have ultimately turned out to contain stars or to be the remnants of two galaxies that collided. However, in this case, the research by scientists from Britain, France, Italy and Australia did not find visible signs of stars, or nearby galaxies that would mean that VIRGOHI21 is the result of a galactic collision.

The conclusion that it is a starless galaxy is reinforced by the comments from Dr Robert Minchin of the University of Cardiff: "If it were an ordinary galaxy, then it should be quite bright and would be visible with a good amateur telescope," he said.

Astronomers have great difficulty in locating and studying dark bodies in the universe, owing to the Earths proximity to the Sun.

In fact, they compare these difficulties with someone trying to look outside at night whilst standing in a bright room. It is easy, they say, to see bright objects, such as streetlights, but you cannot see the trees, the fences and the hills.

This is considered to be a very important discovery, because according to cosmological models, dark matter is five times more abundant than ordinary matter that constitutes everything we can see and touch.

The researchers in the team in Cardiff add: "The Universe has all sorts of secrets still to reveal to us, but this shows that we are beginning to understand how to look at it in the right way."

Translated by Millie Williams

[04] Bush meets with Schroeder Closer Ties for USA and Germany

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: BBC, Reuters, FNA

Emergency security measures and anti-American demonstrations marked US President George Bushs visit to Germany, the second point of his tour of Europe, in an effort to reconcile transatlantic differences. "The differences of the past are in the past," stated Gerhard Schroeder, referring to the operation in Iraq, which was opposed by Germany. The two men referred to Irans nuclear programme, efforts towards peace in the Middle East, and the situation in the Lebanon, especially following the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri, in which Syria is implicated. At the same time, the American President and the German Chancellor pledged to take joint action aiming to reduce pollution in order to combat climate change.

"Iran is Not Iraq"

Referring to Irans nuclear programme, Mr Bush stated that diplomatic efforts "are only just beginning." At the same time, he did not rule out other options, stressing, however, that "Iran is not Iraq."

Mr Schroeder expressed his satisfaction with the USAs support for diplomatic efforts by Germany, France and Britain to solve the issue of Tehrans nuclear programme.

At the same time, the US president let it be known that he is waiting for an answer from Syria regarding his call for a full withdrawal of Syrian forces from the Lebanon, before he asks for the UN to impose sanctions against the regime in Damascus.

Speaking about the Middle East, Chancellor Schroeder stated "there is a lot of hope that a solution will be found thanks to the strong commitment of the US," and he expressed his satisfaction with "Mr Bushs strong commitment."

Mass Demonstrations

Whilst the two politicians were in their discussion, the German security forces were on alert and about 10,000 demonstrators in the centre of Mainz expressed their opposition to American foreign policy.

"Its all going calmly." Stressed Rainer Braun, spokesperson for a coalition of peace organisations. Among the banners, some present Bush as "No 1 terrorist", while others call for "the withdrawal of occupation forces from Iraq."

One protestor managed to get past the security forces and sail up the Rhine on a rubber dinghy, although the authorities had strictly forbidden river traffic. The man was arrested while he was attempting to unfold a banner while the presidential convoy was crossing a bridge.

Furthermore, last night approximately 2000 people demonstrated in many areas of Germany against the US presidents visit.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] One day after explanations to the Commission Swords Cross over Main Shareholder

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA, NET, NET 105.8

The government and the Opposition continue to cross swords over the Main Shareholder Act. Yesterday from Brussels the PM denied reports that the EU considers the Act incompatible with European law, while members of PASOK are calling for it to be withdrawn. "There are neither conditions, nor preconditions nor deadlines for the Greek government," stated the Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos and accused PASOK of issuing misleading information. A storm of questions greeted State Minister Theodoros Rousopoulos in the parliamentary Committee for Institutions and Transparency. He described the briefing of the Commission as a government obligation. "What was said about a 15-day deadline has no relation to reality," stated alternate government spokesman, Evangelos Antonaros, stressing that the Greek government is entirely sure that the law is compatible with the Greek Constitution and European law.

"Transparency in Public Life"

Using harsh words, Mr Pavlopoulos stated that all that has been said about the Main Shareholder Act is a twisting of reality and he indirectly accused PASOK of being the source of the reports. "The answer to how convincing the government was, having responsibly briefed the relevant EU bodies, will come from the European Union," stated the Interior Minister, speaking of total silence when in the past the same issue as well as that of contract workers was raised by the EU.

For PASOK, George Papandreou described yesterday as a "shame" for MPs to go to Brussels and explain themselves to directors. Speaking on NET 105.8, Andreas Loverdos talked of anti-European legislation that will cause problems for regional Media enterprises and for the Greece against the EU.

Finally, PASOK MEPs Nikos Sifounakis and Katerina Batzeli proceeded with a question in the European Parliament, and Irish Commissioner Charlie McCreevy answered that the Commission will soon decide on the matter of the Main Shareholder.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Main Shareholder in Brussels

[06] By the Cabinet Public Health Bill Approved

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA, NET, NET 105.8

The Bill regarding measures to protect public health was today approved by the Cabinet, whose meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister. As reported after the meeting by the Minister of Health Mr Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Bill will tomorrow be submitted to the parliamentary law-making committee and in March it will be put to a vote. The Prime Minister is currently working with parliamentarians from his own party, as part of the round of contacts he has started.

Meetings with MPs

The MPs who crossed the threshold of Maximos Mansion were: Panagiotis Melas, Antonis Bezas, Mr Leontaridis, Iordanis Tzamtzis, Ioannis Homatas, Giorgos Vasiliou, Theofilos Vasiliou and Giorgos Garoufalias.

Mr Garoufalias said that he had had a most important meeting with the Prime Minister, who is aware of the needs of Larisa prefecture and the general area, and added that he has submitted proposals regarding matters related to the agricultural issue, IT, the next generation and unemployment.

Answering a question on what it is that Mr Karamanlis expects from his MPs, Mr Garoufalias said: "work, work, work."

Tomorrow, the prime minister will continue his meetings with Xenofon Verginis, Michalis Giannakis, Kostas Tasoulas, Simos Kerdikoglou, Athina Korka, Ioannis Kourakis and Elsa Papadimitriou.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] Evidence Submitted to First Instance Public Prosec Resignation and Irregularities in DEI

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: NET, NET radio 105.8

Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas has accepted the resignation of DEI's Executive Manager Stergios Nezis. As per the minister, the resignation was submitted verbally late in the afternoon and Mr Nezis invoked problems in his cooperation with the companys management, while in the following days a new executive manager will be appointed, following the standard procedure. In the meantime, the President of DEI Giannis Palaiokrasas submitted evidence, regarding financial irregularities and scandals in the company, to the head of the Athens First Instance Public Prosecutor's office Dimitris Papagelopoulos. The huge file allegedly contains evidence regarding DEI contracts with non-transparent procedures.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] "Number of victims will increase" Urgent Need for Aid

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, ANA

At least 420 people lost their lives and 1000 were injured in the deadly earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale that struck southeast Iran on Tuesday. According to the authorities, the number of victims will increase, as rescue teams have yet to reach quite a few mountain villages. Thousands of people affected by the earthquake, exhausted and frozen by the cold, call urgently for food and basic goods to be sent, protesting the delay in humanitarian aid for isolated mountain villages. Nevertheless, Iran has so far rejected offers of aid from abroad. Rescue teams today recovered 27 bodies from the rubble in the village of Houtkan, which was devastated by the quake. In the village of Houtkan, two young women were pulled alive from the rubble.

Call for Aid

"We estimate that there are 70 to 80 people buried in the rubble," stated General Hossein Maroufi, who is directing the rescue efforts.

The residents are in a state of confusion, as after the initial strong earthquake, there were more than 20 aftershocks of a 4.6 Richter magnitude.

More than 10 villages north of the city of Zarad have collapsed.

Dozens of angry villagers on a mountain road pass threateningly held stones and clubs, closing off the passage of the car convoy taking the Interior Minister, Abdolvakhed Musafi-Lari to the area.

"We spent the night in the open in the cold. Where is the aid you promised on television?" shouted one man whilst the villagers hung onto the windows and roof of the cars escorting the minister.

"My children are freezing and risk death. You want to kill the survivors of the earthquake," shouted one woman hysterically, holding a rock.

The police dispersed the crowd when some of them tried to isolate the ministerial convoy.

Members of aid services admitted that assistance is arriving with great delays in the afflicted areas.

"The only aid being distributed so far is tents. We are trying to create some camps. So far we have not distributed blankets and food," stated a spokesperson for the Red Crescent.

The governor of Kerman province, Mohammad Ali Karimi stated: "all the villages affected by the earthquake have received tents, food and medicine. The task of rescue teams and aid workers is made more difficult by the adverse weather conditions."

Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard managed to pull two women alive from the rubble of the village of Houtkan.

Both women were taken by ambulance to the neighbouring town of Zarad.

Approximately 500 people live in Houtkan. According to initial reports, the rescue teams have recovered 150 bodies.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

6.4 Magnitude Quake in Iran

[09] Greek plans for participation presented Strong Presence for EXPO 2005

By Vagelis Theodorou

Greece intends to steal the show at the international economic exhibition EXPO 2005, which starts in Japan on 25 March and will last for six months. At Zappeio, three ministers, Messrs Alogoskoufis, Avramopoulos and Basiakos, the alternate minister for Culture Mrs Fani Petralia and the deputy minister, Petros Tatoulis presented the Greek plans for participation, which will develop on a three-fold level: "nature, moderation, man" and which will have an olive-tree as its trademark. As government personnel stress, the aim is to facilitate Greek products entry into the huge Far East market and present the history, culture and new face of Greece after the Olympic Games.

Presenting Modern Greece

As the Minister of Finance stressed, Greece will exhibit products and services "with organisation and coordination," investing in the outward looking policy and "opening" in Eastern Asia.

The Minister for Agriculture and Food described EXPO 2005 as a great opportunity for Greek agricultural products to be presented, and added that there will be taste opportunities, with relevant leaflets and CDs in Japanese.

In addition, three business teams from the Greek Organisation for Foreign Trade will visit EXPO in May, June and September, aiming to ensure that there is a complete representation of the Greek economy.

At the same time, in May and September, there will be two events held by the Economy Ministry, aiming to present the new fiscal and developmental framework, the ATHEX and the plans to use Olympic real estate.

Finally, during the fair, there are two concerts by Greek artists (Xarhakos and Savvopoulos) planned, aiming to promote the modern Greek cultural identity.

Translated by Millie Williams

[10] Inquiry into Set up Matches

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Allegations that have come to light regarding set-up football matches in Thessaloniki have sparked the intervention of the Public Prosecutor of the First Instance Court of Thessaloniki, Panagiotis Ioannidis. In a letter to the Police Director, Mr Ioannidis asked for an urgent preliminary investigation to see if there have been any punishable offences as well as to determine the identity of the origin of todays articles in the newspapers Ethnos, Makedonia, Angelioforos and Spor tou Vorra. He also calls for the police to examine and include in the court report the tape from the programme "Trial" by Kiriakos Thomaidis last Monday.

Gagatsis Before Public Prosecutor

On the programme in question, there were allegations from a resident of Thessaloniki that 6 people were able to know beforehand the results of matches from Divisions 1 and 2.

The person who made the allegation on Mr Thomaidis programme has been named by German referee and main defendant in a case of set up matches in his own country Robert Hoyzer as the main perpetrator of set up games in Greece.

What is more, the president of the Hellenic Football Federation Vasilis Gagatsis will visit on Friday the Public Prosecutor of the First Instance Court of Athens, Me Papagelopoulos, and the Sports Public Prosecutor Mr Mouzakitis on the same issue.

The purpose of Mr Gagatsis' visit will be the contribution of the above mentioned people in order to have access to the (classified) data of the German Football Federation regarding fixed results, which have come up from an investigation still in progress.

Translated by Millie Williams

[11] She Will However Be at the Chapel Elisabeth Wont Attend the Wedding

By Despina Hristopoulou

Queen Elisabeth's decision not the attend the civil marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles has triggered reactions in Great Britain. The mother of the groom said she will not attend the civil marriage due to take place on 8 April, but will, of course, be going to the service of dedication at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Prince Charles' two sons, Harry and William, will be present at the civil ceremony in Windsor's Guildhall, as well as Camilla's children, Tom and Laura. The Royal Family (Charles' father, Philip, his brothers Andrew and Edward and his sister Anna) will also not attend the civil marriage. Regarding the Queen's decision, there are rumours she will not be present not because she doesn't approve of Camilla, but because she follows police orders over her security. However, the Prince of Wales said he is not offended by his mother's decision, while on the contrary he is happy, stressing that the civil ceremony should be as low key as possible.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] Relevant legislation in Parliament tomorrow Motorbikes to be Withdrawn

By Vagelis Theodorou

The measure regarding the withdrawal of motorbikes is to be extended to those aged over 8 years, as announced by the Minister of Transport, Michalis Liapis. With legislation to be submitted to Parliament tomorrow, the owners of bikes will be exempt from registration fees when buying a new motorcycle, while the process of withdrawal is to be simplified. As Mr Liapis stressed, the aim is to refit motorbikes with new, anti-pollution technology and better safety specifications. According to sata from the Ministry of Transport, there are about 1.4 million motorcycles in circulation in Greece, while withdrawal measures regard more than 300,000.

Incentives

According to the provisions announced by the minister, the incentives to withdraw motorcycles of up to 50cc will be in force from the end of March and will apply as long as it is in use.

Anyone who decides to withdraw a 50cc bike will be exempt from:

Registration fees in buying a new motorcycle Circulation fees forever, if the bike bought is up to 300cc or for 5 years if the new bike is over 300cc Fees for renewal of the motorbike licence up to 50cc

Financial benefit from the withdrawal of a bike ranges from 189 euros to 1530 euros depending on the size of the new bike to be bought; the greater the size in cc, the greater the savings.

Withdrawn motorbikes can be handed in at ODDY branches or police stations closest to the owners place of residence.

Translated by Millie Williams

[13] Disciplinary investigation into judge Amidst A Storm of Revelations

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET Radio 105.8- Apogevmatini Newspaper

The revelations that have surfaced over the past few days have no end, exposing the Hierarchy and widening the circle of corrupt judges involved in the scandals. A disciplinary investigation into deputy Supreme Court Prosecutor Antonis Plomaritis, has been ordered by Minister of Justice, Anastasis Papaligouras. The testimony of a high-rank Judge, who willingly appeared at the Supreme Court, and refutes the Archbishops claim that he does not know Archimandrite Giosakis has caused friction, since he stated that Giosakis had arranged two appointments with Christodoulos and he was also present in the visits. As Apogevmatini newspaper reveals today, in the last visit of the Archbishop with Justice members, 14 Judges were present. The appointment, according to Church sources, was arranged by Christodoulos former secretary Serafim Koulousousas and Giosakis presence caused the Archbishops dissatisfaction. Arab-speaking Orthodox citizens are performing a demonstration march against Jerusalem Patriarch Eirinaios over the revelations, concerning him and his former associates.

Investigation Touches on Supreme Court Judge

A preliminary disciplinary investigation over deputy Supreme Court Prosecutor Antonis Plomaritis was ordered this noon by the Minister of Justice Anastasis Papaligouras. This was in order for any responsibilities in relation to the deputy Court of Appeals Nikos Athanasopoulos of an application of Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis for an appeal of a decision of the Athens Misdemanor Court of Appeals to be investigated, by the Supreme Court Prosecutor Dimitris Linos who handed the relative file to the Minister.

Mr Plomaritis had cited the so-called hindrance of Prosecutor Andreas Zigouras and passed the case on to Nikos Athanasopoulos who negated the case and the legal document, without an initial investigation. This indicates that there was already a document in existence, which did not come from Athanasopoulos.

The Prosecutor Andreas Zigouras, who claimed that he did not ask for a substitution as he did not have a single hindrance, made the relative charges to the Supreme Court Prosecutor Dimitris Linos.

In the Minister of Justices document the need for a speedy completion of the preliminary investigation and the submittal of the relative verdict is stated.

Nikos Athanasopoulos has been already committed by the President of the Supreme Court Mr Kapos in the Plenary Session of the High Court on the issue of dismissal.

Marathon Testimony by Triantafillakis

At a time when the investigation into Apostolos Vavilis activities is continuing, his former wife Israeli Mali Cohen, is expected to testify at the Athens Police Headquarters. According to sources, the two arrest warrants for Vavilis are not current as they concern penalties already served.

In the meantime, as part of the preliminary investigation underway by the First Instance Prosecutor, discharged policeman Giannis Triantafillakis testified for approximately four hours. Mr Triantafillakis appears to have referred to his relations with Apostolos Vavilis, their joint activities in the election of Eirinaios and the case of the letter he delivered to the Supreme Court Prosecutor, as a go-between.

According to information, Public Prosecutor Eleni Sotiropoulou asked the discharged policeman about his relations with Vavilis, and whether he visited him in the flat he kept in Holargos and their joint trips to Jerusalem. In addition she required him to testify to whatever he knew regarding Apostolos Vavilis relations with the Ministry of Public Order concerning supplies of security goods. Finally, Mr Triantafillakis was asked to give explanations on the issue of counterfeit documents for Apostolos Vavilis in the name Apostolas Fokas, a case which is due in April.

Before this, testimony was given by the director of Antenna Radio, Giorgos Antoniou, who is said to have warned Patriarch Eirinaios to watch out for someone named Fokas. According to information, Mr Antoniou was Press spokesperson for outgoing Patriarch Diodoros.

Kirillos Stavropoulos in Koridallos Jail

Remand prisoner Iakovos Giosakis close friend, monk Kirillos Stavropoulos, who is also charged for antiquities smuggling in Kithira will be taken today to Koridallos Jail.

The circle for the corrupt judges is also expanding since in the coming days new plenary charges for five of six Piraeus judges, who are reportedly involved in judicial decisions with Giosakis as a litigant.

The developments in the Justice department will concern the meeting of the representatives of the Judiciary Unions with the President and Prosecutor of the Supreme Court.

The Metropolitan Bishop of Chios, Dionisios expressed his surprise over allegations that stated he has bank accounts of many million dollars in the U.S., and admitted that he has a bank account of 250,000 saved from his 25-year employment, which he has stated will be donated for educational purposes. He also stated that he did not have any relations with the Metropolitan Bishop of Attica and pledged that he will raise the subject to the Holy Synod on Tuesday.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article