The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Of Former Investigator K. Bourboulia Extradition Procedure Began

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The extradition procedure of former investigator Konstantina Bourboulia, who was arrested in her sisters apartment in Paris, on Wednesday, after collaboration by Greek and French police authorities, has began. A European arrest warrant was pending for three months against Mrs Bourboulia, who was convicted for her handlings in the Stock Exchange case. As per the police, the former judiciary was betrayed by her credit card, which she used for her purchases. As Justice sources evaluated, her extradition to Greece will be completed within 20 days, while it is considered unlikely that the accused will use legal means for her non-extradition and will agree to arrive to Greece.

The countdown for Bourboulias arrest started when two Greek officials with information and evidence on the wanted persons movements arrived in Paris, on Tuesday, and briefed their French counterparts.

Last September, the Appellate Council asked for her arrest, issuing a European arrest warrant over breach of power, a felony, and money laundering, a misdemeanour.

The judicial authorities are expecting the opening of Mrs Bourboulias accounts in Switzerland, which will be finalised by the Lausanne High Court. As per information, the opening of accounts is expected to lead to new figures involved in the extrajudicial ring.

It all began in June 2003, when Appellate Prosecutor Giorgos Koliokostas asked for a criminal indictment against her for handlings in the Stock Exchange case.

In the meantime, the trial of attorney Stavros Koumentakis and stockbroker Panagiotis Kontalexis, who reportedly bribed Mrs Bourboulia with 350,000 euros (120 million drachmas), was adjourned. The benchs Prosecutor asked for the postponement of the trial, until the bribery case of the former investigator is finalised, as she was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months for passive bribery.

Moreover, she was sentenced to 7 months over the non-submission of a financial audit for assets declaration, while her figure was implicated in the extrajudicial case, as she reportedly favoured the aforementioned businessmen.

In the meantime, an announcement was issued by the legal firm of Sakis Kechagioglou, which stated that the attorney never handled cases concerning the Stock Exchange, and explained that it only conferred with Bourboulia on the Kritikos case, who was accused of the death of two employees in a fuel truck explosion.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

K. Bourboulia Arrested

[02] Over Health Violations Penalties on Super Markets

By Vicky Keleri

A super market closed down in Salamina today, while the EFET (Central Food Control Agency) imposed a total of 70,000 euros in fines on 10 businesses over health and food safety violations. These businesses were located in Thessaloniki, Thessaly, Achaea and Crete. At the same time, their managers were referred to the Public Prosecutor. The Marinopoulos super market in Salamina was closed down following a decision issued by the Piraeus prefecture. Competent agencies had located health violations in the past, while during the last inspection on 11 January expired products had been found, as well as rusty packs and mouldy cheese. Filthy refrigerators, dust and insects were also found in the super market's storage areas.

Fines

The EFET imposed fines on the following businesses:

-Karatsiobanis & Co: Restaurant-Snack Bar, Thessaloniki -Meletiadis Lazaros: Coffee-Candy Shop, Oraiokastro in Thessaloniki -Star Food: Pastry Shop, Thessaloniki -Paraxenos: Restaurant, Larissa -"Defkalionos"-Barlagiannis Vasileios: Ouzeri, Larissa -Galagalas SA: Food Hyper Market, Karditsa -Serano: Pastry Shop, Trikala -Kouridakis Brothers: Olive Oil Packaging Business, Boukolies in Chania -"Pelekanos"-É. Darlas & T. Vasios: Candy Shop, Rio in Patras -Greek Tourist Resorts-"Athos Pallas": Hotel Restaurant, Kallithea in Chalkidiki

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] On US Land Bin Laden Prepares New Attacks

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, CNN, BBC, Reuters, Associated Press

In a tape-recorded message broadcast by Arab speaking TV network Al Jazeera, Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden speaks of new attacks against the USA. In fact, preparations have already started, while they will only be postponed if the US withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. The message, whose authenticity has not been yet verified, said the attacks are a matter of time and the war against the USA and its allies will not be limited solely in Iraq, which has been turned into a magnet for training talented fighters. So far, experts can neither verify the authenticity of the tape nor the time of the recording, however, it was certainly recorded after July, as the voice in it referred to the 7 July attacks in London.

Truce For Withdrawal

"Our mujahedeen were able to overcome all the security measures in European countries, and you saw their operation in major European capitals," said the speaker on the tape.

"Your president is misinterpreting public opinion polls which show that the vast majority of you support the withdrawal of your forces from Iraq," he said, addressing the American people.

In his message, Bin Laden offered the USA truce, saying it will only happen if they stop fighting the Muslims on Muslim land: "We are a nation that God banned from lying and stabbing others in the back. Hence, both parties of the truce will enjoy stability and security to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan, which were destroyed by war. There is no problem in this solution, but it will prevent hundreds of billions from going to influential people and warlords in America."

If this is in fact Bin Laden's voice on the tape, then it would be his first message since December 2006, when he had released two recorded messages. It is noted the last video-recorded message was broadcast shortly before the presidential elections in the USA in 2004.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

Times: "Bin Laden audio tape warns of new attacks on America"

CNN: "Purported bin Laden tape: 'It's only a question of time"

BBC: "Bin Laden tape' warns of attacks"

[04] Shortly Before Elections Jihad Hit in Tel Aviv

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA, Reuters, Associated Press

The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the suicide attack that was reported today at an old bus terminal in Tel Aviv, killing the suicide bomber and injuring at least 30 people, one in critical condition. The Palestinian Authority condemned the attack, noting its purpose is to sabotage the Palestinian government elections to be held on 25 January. At the same time, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas asked for the punishment of the perpetrators. "Those who violate national consensus should be punished," he underlined. This is the third hit in the last two years in this part of Tel Aviv.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv

CNN: Police: Suicide bomber hits Tel Aviv

[05] OTOE Harshly Reacted Bank Branches Open on Saturdays

By Vicky Keleri

With the accordance of employees, Eurobank branches at "The Mall" in Athens and at the "Mediterranean Cosmos" in Thessaloniki will remain open in the afternoons and Saturdays. However, the business agreement signed between the administration and the employees in exchange for 35 working hours and an extra fee of 235 euros triggered OTOE's (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions) intense reaction. In particular, OTOE president Dimitris Tsoukalas said the agreement is illegal and it will be referred to Justice. On his part, GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) President Christos Polyzogopoulos spoke of a bad deal.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Over the Course of Economy Alogoskoufis Garganas Meeting

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, ANA

The course of economy in 2005 and its prospects for 2006 were at the focus of the meeting between Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas. Following the meeting, the Minister of Economy said it was made by a review over international and European economy and the data is very encouraging, as it indicated that growth in the EU is stabilised. On a journalists question over yesterdays agreement between the administration and employees Union of Eurobank for the operation of two of its branches in shopping centres on Saturday, Mr Garganas stated that the Bank of Greeces view is for larger flexibility and is well-known and noted that the issue is not the banks responsibility but the Ministry of Developments. On his part, Mr Alogoskoufis noted that it that structural reforms with consensual procedures are taking place is optimistic, in order to lead to a competitive economy. In closing, answering to a question in relation to households debts, the Governor of the Bank of Greece said that they have to acquire realistic loans and banks have to estimate annuity instalments. These, he added, should not exceed 30-40% of households income.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Show me Your Gender!

By Vagelis Theodorou

American researchers who reviewed anew previous studies suggested that the benefits of taking aspirin heavily depend upon the gender. The scientific team of the New York University argued that the intake of aspirin reduces the risk of heart attacks in men and the risk of stroke in men. Reviewing six previous studies spanned from 1966 to 2005, the researchers discovered that the well-known pill lowered the risk of vascular problems in both men and women, however, it lowered the risk of heart attacks in men by 32%, while it yielded no results on women. Aspirin also narrowed the risk of stroke in women by 17%, but not in men. This differentiation has yet to be determined, therefore the researchers underlined the need for further studies.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Los Angeles Times: Aspirin Study Reveals a Sharp Gender Divide

News-Medical.Net: Aspirin reduces strokes in women and heart attacks in men

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