The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] By Intervention of Court of Appeals' Prosecutor

15 Feb 2008 14:46:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

Persecutor of Court of Appeals Mr. Dimitris Dasoulas ordered Kladas (head of special taxation office) -Koukodimos (New Democracy Parliamentary Member) case to be reopened. The brief which includes Mr. Dasoulas document consists of orders for specific actions.

Zahopoulos former driver Mr. Lefteris Ioannidis testified today to the prosecutor Mr. Dimitris Oikonomou. His name came up after the abrogation of phone confidentiality.

On Monday the psychological report on Hristos Nikoloutsopoulos psychological condition is expected. The 35 years old accused is also expected to testify on Monday on the charge of violating personal data.

Further Legal Inquiry

Prosecutor of Court of Appeals Mr. Dasoulas is examining Mr. Koukodimos involvement in the case. Mr. Koukodimos may have been the mediator of Head of Taxation Office Mr. Kladas who favored journalist Themos Anastasiadis regarding the 5,5 million found in his bank account.

Mr. Dasoulas asks all aspects of the case to be examined, new witnesses to testify and evidence to be collected if new suspects, who committed offences, come up.

He also asks from the Prosecutor of the Court of Appeals to investigate whether the French bank had briefed on time Bank of Greece about the 5,5 million Themos Anastasiadis deposited on the French Bank.

Meantime, Ministry of Culture employee Lefteris Ioannidis testified today as it was revealed by the phone calls he made that he was in contact with the accused.

According to the counselor of the accused Mr. Kostas Chrisikopoulos, the 35 years old was friend with the witness and their phone calls are not related to the case.

As Mr. Chrisikopoulos said, he will deliver on behalf of Mr. Tzekou her defensive line and will also ask for her release from temporary arrest on Monday. In addition, the Court of Appeals is examining the accused womans lawsuit to "Proto Thema" newspaper which had printed personally intimate photos of her and Mr. Zahopoulos.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Greece to Freeze

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

A new cold wave will hit Greece in the night as per meteorologists. Snowfalls, gale-force winds and low temperatures will extend from northern Greece to the rest of the country in the weekend. It will snow in Attica, where the lowest temperatures of the last 100 years may prevail. The temperature will drop several degrees below zero. The extreme weather conditions will hit Greece mainly on Sunday. The authorities are on alert to combat any problems that may arise, while the General Secretariat of Political Protection advises attention to people when circulating; calling them to check the water network of the block of buildings they are living in. The weather is expected to improve as of next Tuesday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Electronic Payment Code for DEH Bills

15 Feb 2008 14:16:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: NET, NET 105,8

Heat oil prices in Athens reache 0,71-0,75 per liter and in regional Greece 0,71-0,80 per liter. In some regions oil sellers do not participate in the new system. Those who distribute oil find it difficult to meet the big demand. Overall, only 13% of oil sellers do not adopt the new system, Ministry of Economy reports. Consumers interested to find out where they can be provided with oil can telephone to 801.100.8808. For more information they can contact 210-6268888. Economy Minister Mr. Alogoskoufis warned that there are going to be fines and companies licenses will be taken if oil company owners and sellers deny distributing oil. With this new system consumers are not being burdened and tax return for companies and farmers will be made through banks, Ministry of Economy reports. To order oil, consumers will have to give their electronic payment code which is written in DEH bills. However owners of illegally built houses (not provided with their own electricity) as well as tzigane populations will not be able to be provided with oil. Petrol station owners and petrol sellers are torn by this new measure. There is conflict between the federation and some unions. An Immediate General Meeting will take place on Sunday on the issue.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Russia Stands by Serbia's Side

15 Feb 2008 19:07:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ANA

It is just a matter of time before Kosovo declares its independence. Pristina avoids revealing when it intends to assert its independence, yet it keeps reassuring the Serbs that their rights will be protected. To prevent reactions within Serbia, President Tadic said he would not give up on Kosovo, although Belgrade deems the developments as a fact. Eyes are now fixed on Moscow, as Kremlin announced that Russias response to Kosovo break away would be the recognition of the pro-Russian areas within Georgia.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] People Got Injured, Buildings Got Damaged

15 Feb 2008 16:29:00

Sources: REUTERS

An earthquake shook the Middle East on Friday, damaging buildings in south Lebanon where three people were injured. The earthquake of magnitude 5.0 had an epicentre 15 km northeast of the Lebanese coastal city of Tyre, according to the US Geological Survey Web site. The tremor was felt across Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and in the Syrian capital of Damascus. A Lebanese man and two Palestinians were injured in Tyre when a balcony fell on top of them, the Lebanese National News Agency reported.

[06] Dmitry Medvedev's Priorities

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

The man expected to become Russias next president on 2 March, Dmitry Medvedev, has presented his priorities at the fifth Economic Forum in Siberia. These include personal liberties, the securing of ownership and independent Justice. "One of the key elements of our work in the next four years will be ensuring the independence of our legal system from the executive and legislative branches of power," he said.

Mr Medvedev also spoke of the need to mend what he called the "law breaking" habits of Russians.

"What kind of equal opportunity and innovative thinking can there be if everybody knows that rights only belong to those with the sharpest teeth, and not those who obey the law," he said.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] The 35yo Appeals to Court of First Instance

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Zahopoulos 35-year-old aid has appealed to the Court of First Instance against Proto Thema newspaper due to the publication of the controversial photographs. The Prosecutor is holding a preliminary examination on the recorded discussion between independent MP Koukodimos and a journalist to examine whether it had been wiretapped. Meanwhile, two psychiatrists assigned by the Examiner will examine lawyer Christos Nikoloutsopoulos, who is hospitalized at Aiginitio Hospital.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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