The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] All for Love

By Despina Hristopoulou

The only thing he desired was to meet his other half. As it seems, the conventional ways of approaching a female were not that effective, so he tried something different in an attempt to change his luck in love. Somebody must have told him that women like men in uniform, and so he dressed-up as a cop, took the streets and made attractive women drivers pull-over, checked their drivers license and gave them a warning for speeding. In order to seem more convincing, the 41-year-old man from Austria had perfectly planned everything to the last detail. Except for the uniform that he had bought from a dress shop, he had also made a siren and a badge that he presented to candidate dates. His scam was uncovered when a woman puzzled by the so-called cop asked for his identity number. His arrest was easy since an attractive female cop was used as bait and the prospective lover was caught. The case was taken to the Prosecutor and he confessed that he had stopped seven women drivers hoping that one of them will have a thing for men in uniform!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Exchange of Fire with Police Massacre in Minnesota School

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC- Reuters

A high school student shot and killed nine people and then committed suicide, in the Indian reservation of Red Lake, Minnesota, on Monday evening. The student killed his grandfather, who worked as a policeman in the reservation, his grandfathers friend, in their house, and following he went to school. There he shot the guard and opened fire against his classmates. Among the dead are the schools guard, a teacher, and six students including the culprit, while at least twelve people were injured. Up to now, the authorities have not made the culprits name or age known, only stating that he was underage. This is the worst attack noted in a school after the Columbine shootings in 1999, when 15 people were killed.

"Wanted to Blow the School Up"

"We believe that he acted on his own," stated FBI agent Paul McCabe, adding that the victims were all in the same classroom. The young student also shot the classrooms doors where his classmates and students had run to hide.

"He reached the school and the first person he killed was the guard in the entrance. One of my students said he aimed at a boy but changed his mind, smiled and waved at him and shot someone else," said Molly Myron publisher of local newspaper Pioneer of Bemidji.

The policemen were informed about the massacre when other students called from their cell phones, while they stated that shots were exchanged with the young man who had barricaded himself in a classroom.

According to eyewitnesses the culprit carried a shot gun and a pistol which he had stolen from his grandfathers house.

The young students motives have not been made known. However, a classmate stated to a local television station that a year ago he had said that he wanted to "blow the school up.

The Red Lake reservation, where the Chippewa tribe resides, is near the borders of Canada.

Around 300 students, all of American Indian descent, attend the school.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] "I Will Defend Myself"

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

Nikos Konstantopoulos speaking to NETs television show "Proti Grammi" accuses parastatal and paraecclesiastical centres for the accusations against him concerning his relationship with his ex-wife, and made his intention known that he will turn to Justice. The Head of the Archbishoprics institution for abused women, Eirini Dorkofiki, who reportedly leaked information to newspaper To Thema and after the publication, was dismissed. Mr Konstantopoulos described the accusations as slanderous while he stated that paraeconomic, paraecclesiastical and parastatal organizations have entered the political world, in especially critical departments.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Metropolitan Bishops at Holy Synod

[04] 5-Year Residence Permit End to Immigrants' Hassles

The new immigration policy bill, which is being drawn up and will be put forward for discussion, provides for favourable regulations for immigrants living in Greece. While speaking at an event hosted by the Migration Policy Institute, Deputy Interior Minister Athanasios Nakos noted that, with the incorporation of a relevant Community Directive, all immigrants who have been living in Greece for five years and can prove that they have been assimilated into the Greek society, based on specific criteria, will receive a five-year residence permit, which will be renewed automatically every five years. On the occasion of the International Day against Racism, PASOK President George Papandreou met with immigrants, who are members of the partys National Council, stressing that dialogue among cultures will enrich us and make us wiser.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Minister of Justice Visits Supreme Court

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

Today, Minister of Justice, Anastasis Papaligouras is being briefed over the course of the investigations of the extra-judicial groups, from the Supreme Court President. In the meantime, 4 more Judges have been dismissed by the Supreme Court, while in the coming days the transfer of 115 Justices is expected to be decided.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Criminal Proceedings Against Kalousis

[06] European Arrest Warrant for Papadimas Interpol Informed About Vavilis

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

On Monday, the Appeals Prosecution issued a European arrest warrant and informed Interpol about Apostolos Vavilis, as a warrant is pending from October 2004 for importing and trafficking of drugs in Italy. A European arrest warrant was also issued for Nikos Papadimas, former manager of the Patriarchates estate, who reportedly embezzled 600,000 and for his wife, Katerina.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

"Magna Graecia" and Chrisopigi Relations

[07] Latsi-Angelopoulos Called as Witnesses Burning Testimonies against Michalopoulos

By Anna Kourti

Marianna Latsi described Grigoris Michalopoulos as a brutal extortionist and considered him jointly responsible for the murder of Dimitris Angelopoulos, while testifying in the Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeals during the hearing of the case agaimst the editor of newspaper Eleftheri Ora. "My father, Giannis Latsis, considered the defendant a brutal and dangerous blackmailer. Mr Michalopoulos objective was to extort money from my father, who never gave in to his blackmails or met him, through threats and vulgar articles in the Press," she testified. Furthermore, she claimed that she considered Grigoris Michalopoulos as jointly responsible for the murder of Dimitris Angelopoulos by terrorist group "17 November", since, as she said, Mr Michalopoulos has reassured him that his name had been stricken off the groups hit list, and as a result the deceased did not take any measures to protect himself. The trial will continue tomorrow, at which time Marianna Latsi will be concluding her testimony.

Envelopes Full of Money

Theodoros Angelopoulos was the first witness to testify and he claimed that he had given money to the editor at times, in order to protect him.

Gianna Angelopoulos secretary, Eleni Zachopoulou, testified next. She claimed that Mr Michalopoulos used to go to the couples office and receive envelopes containing money.

Editor Grigoris Michalopoulos is accused of extorting top businessmen, by claiming he was able to stop a "17 November" hit against them.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

The Michalopoulos Trial Commenced

[08] Church of Greece Keeps its Distance Jerusalem Patriarchate Shaken

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

The pressure is continuing for the removal of Jerusalem Patriarch Eirinaios, after the accusations for the sale of Jerusalem Patriarchate real estate to Jewish investors. In the meantime, 67 out of 110 Jordanian MPs ask for the removal of recognition of Mr Eirinaios. In the meantime, intense behind-the-scenes discussions between Palestinians, Jordanians and Greek diplomatic authorities in order to resolve the crisis continue. A committee of specialists from the Foreign Ministry is in the area in order to investigate the accusations. The Church of Greece has kept its distance from the issue and announced that it will not intervene in the Jerusalem Patriarchate issues and hopes that soon enough the crisis will be overcome.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Signing of New JMD New Measures for Cotton Growers

By Annita Paschalinou

New measures for this years cotton growers were set today with the signing of a Joint Ministerial Decision. As per the new JMD, the area that will be cultivated by cotton growers this year will be reduced by 7%, in order to maximize the influx of Community funds. During a meeting with the political leadership of the Rural Development Ministry, representatives of the Thessaly cotton growers agreed to the new measures for cotton production. It was also decided that cotton growers would be paid the refund of 11 cents per kilo by Easter, while the Government held its stance concerning the unsold cotton quantities.

"Shift towards Dialogue"

The Minister of Rural Development appeared satisfied after the discussion with the farmers.

"This process of joint views and joint decision-making, which is also being set in the new Joint Ministerial Decision concerning the new rights for cotton during the coming period, signals a change of stance and a shift towards democratic dialogue," stressed Evangelos Basiakos.

On the other hand, the President of EAS Larissa, T. Kokkinoulis, declared that a solution for the absorption of the unsold cotton quantities had not been found, while he called on all farmers to proceed with protests during the festivities for Kileler, this coming Sunday.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Mantzios to Sign with Panathinaikos

By Stathis Petropoulos

The first player transfer for the upcoming season is now a fact, since Vangelis Mantzios met today with representatives from Panathinaikos and agreed on a 5-year contract. Mantzios was considered one of the stronger cards during the summer transfer period, but Panathinaikos jumped in first and put an end to speculation, since the only thing remaining now are the official signatures. Of course that is also the only pending matter in the case of the other two Panionios players, Alexandros Tziolis and Nikos Spyropoulos, who will more that likely be continuing their careers with Panathinaikos.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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