Grèce: l'ex-Pdg d'une banque arrêté pour fraude après son retour dans le pays Greece: The former CEO of a bank arrested for fraud after his return to the country

Grèce: l'ex-Pdg d'une banque arrêté pour fraude après son retour dans le pays

 

(AFP)

 

[caption id="attachment_11869" align="alignnone" width="400"] (L’ex-Pdg de la banque postale grecque, Anguelos Filippidis, escorté par des policiers au siège de la police, le 5 février 2014 mercredi le Roman à Athènes (IN TIME NEWS/AFP, Kostas Baltas)) (The former CEO of the Greek postal bank Anguelos Filippidis escorted by police Police Headquarters, 5 February 2014 The Roman in Athens (IN TIME NEWS/AFP, Kostas Baltas))[/caption]

 

Athènes — L'ex-Pdg de la banque postale grecque (TT), recherché pour son rôle dans une affaire retentissante de fraude, a été arrêté mercredi à l'aéroport d'Athènes après son retour de Turquie, a-t-on appris de source judiciaire.

 

Anguelos Filippidis doit être transféré devant le parquet d'Athènes, selon la même source.

 

Il avait été arrêté en janvier à Istanbul et placé en détention provisoire pendant trois semaines, en vertu d'un mandat international issu à la suite des poursuites pénales lancées à son encontre par la justice grecque pour des prêts de complaisance sans garantie de plusieurs millions accordés à des hommes d'affaires en Grèce.

 

L'accusé a nié ces accusations en soulignant que les prêts ont été accordés à la suite des décisions prises à l'unanimité par le conseil d'administration de la TT.

 

Vingt-cinq personnes au total sont visées par l'information judiciaire dans le cadre de ce scandale, parmi lesquelles Anastassia Sakellariou, ex-responsable de TT, actuellement à la tête du Fonds hellénique de stabilité financière.

 

L'enquête avait commencé après la découverte d'un trou de 400 millions d'euros dans les comptes de la TT, qui en 2013 avait été scindée en deux entités, celle dotée d'actifs sains ayant été acquise par Eurobank lors de la restructuration du secteur bancaire grec achevé en été 2013.

 

Plusieurs enquêtes judiciaires sur des affaires de corruption sont en cours actuellement en Grèce, où le gouvernement met en avant sa volonté de lutter contre les malversations financières qui ont coûté cher au pays frappé par la crise de la dette.

 

Copyright © AFP 2014. Tous droits réservés.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 5 mercredi février 2014 le Roman)

 

 

Greece: The former CEO of a bank arrested for fraud after his return to the country

 

(AFP)

 

Athens — The former CEO of the Greek Post Bank (TT), wanted for his role in a sensational fraud case, was arrested Wednesday at Athens airport after returning from Turkey, has to sources judicial.

 

Anguelos Filippidis must be transferred to the prosecution of Athens, according to the same source.

 

He was arrested in January in Istanbul and remanded in custody for three weeks under an international mandate from the following launched against him by the Greek justice for loans without guarantee of convenience multimillion prosecution granted to businessmen in Greece.

 

The accused denied the accusations stressing that the loans were made as a result of decisions taken unanimously by the Board of Directors of the TT.

 

Twenty-five people in total are covered by the investigation in the context of this scandal, including Anastasia Sakellariou, former head of TT, currently head of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund.

 

The investigation began after the discovery of a hole of € 400 million in the accounts of the TT, which in 2013 was split into two entities, one with healthy assets were acquired by Eurobank in restructuring the Greek banking sector was completed in 2013.

 

Several judicial investigations of corruption cases are currently underway in Greece, where the government has emphasized its commitment to the fight against embezzlement that have cost the country hit by the debt crisis.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 5 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 6 Thursday February 2014 The Roman)

 

The Human versus "Satan"

The Human versus "Satan"

 

“Satan” use 'The United States of America in The New Continent' in The Old Continent. 'The Statue of The Liberty' is the present from The Roman Empire The Kingdom of France to The United States of America.

 

'Liberty' is the word in Anthem of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of France 'La Marseillaise'. 'Glory' is the word in Anthem of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of France 'La Marseillaise'.

 

Shelley Duvall in the movie 'The Shining (1980)' is “Satan” ? If so, the movie 'The Shining (1980)' is a movie that is a murder against The United States of America citizen by "Satan". Man1 - Lady (- Boy) to Man2 - Lady (- Boy) (Man1 was killed).

 

Who is Stephen King ?

 

We are thinking about, this problem and The United States of America, and The Old Continent and The New Continent, We can make many Profiling about this Question.

 

Anyway, criminal is, "Mad Over Load". We named nickname for "Mad Over Load" as "AKIRA".

 

“Satan” appeared to us since before 70 years. "The Hit", "The Fall", "Satan" is an easy, "Satan" english is a kinder garden english.

 

"AKIRA" always appears in The Old Continent, but violence is to The New Continent.

 

Orion was "AKIRA" ? "AKIRA" makes Chaos. Chaos God was "AKIRA" ? Chaos God is Orion ? Chaos God is in The Kingdom of Greece Myth.

 

"AKIRA" = "Mongoloids" = "Satan". "Satan" = "Buddhist" ?

 

"蘇我馬子 (Soga Umako)" destroyed  物部守屋 (Moriya Mononobe) (A.D. 587). This is in The Kingdom of Nihon history.

 

The world is victim against "Satan".

 

There are not "Satan" in Nihon Myth. "YA-MA-TA-NO-O-RO-CHI (Eight Head Big Snake) " is in Nihon Myth. Snake is Reptiles. White Snake was a good in Nihon Myth and Nihon Legend.

 

The United States of America can have more big farms, more big industries.

 

This will be the final answer ?

 

The United States of America is west side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy. Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II side.

 

We are in east side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy. Their Royal Highness Prince Andrew side.

 

We called 'Gold Blond' policemen from west side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy to east side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy.

 

We are solving the final answer.

 

If we solve all then The Roman Empire will clearly stand again.

 

This is the largest ?

 

"Satan" crashed The Roman Empire ?

 

"Satan" must say apologize to the world. And, The world will forgive "Satan" ?

 

Be Piety.

 

We do not connect in Renaissance Faire any more, no more. We crashed many enemy between us. What happen to us, do yo think ? ex) We want to meet with our family in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Riyadh Palace, we want to meet with President Obama.

 

How about Green tea ice cream ? President Obama ?

 

 

“

 

22 Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. 23 All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ 25 He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

 

The Bible Matthew 12

 

“

 

 

(Lord Of Light)

 

(Agence France-Presse Yokohama)

 

(The Kingdom of Ryukyu Palace)

 

(Text: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 29 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Golden Globes : "La vie d'Adèle" en lice pour le meilleur film étranger Golden Globes: "The life of Adèle" nominated for Best Foreign Film

Golden Globes : "La vie d'Adèle" en lice pour le meilleur film étranger

 

"La vie d'Adèle" d'Abdellatif Kechiche sera en compétition aux Golden Globes dans la catégoruie "Meilleur film étranger".

 

[caption id="attachment_10700" align="alignnone" width="512"] (Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos et Abdellatif Kechiche obtiennent la palme d'or à Cannes le 26 mai 2013 le Roman pour 'La Vie d'Adèle' (Photographe : VALERY HACHE, AFP)) (Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos and Abdellatif Kechiche get the Palme d'Or at Cannes May 26, 2013 the Roman for “The life of Adèle’ (Photograph : VALERY HACHE, AFP))[/caption]

 

Un nouveau prix pour "La vie d'Adèle"?

 

Le film français d'Abdellatif Kechiche sera en lice pour le trophée du meilleur film étranger lors de la 71e cérémonie des Golden Globes.

 

La Palme d'Or, inteprétée par Léa Seydoux et Adèle Exarchopoulos, sera notamment opposée à "La grande bellezza" de l'Italien Paolo Sorrentino, et "Le passé", de l'Iranien d'Asghar Farhadi.

 

(actu, 12 jeudi décembre 2013 le Roman)

 

 

Golden Globes: "The life of Adèle" nominated for Best Foreign Film

 

"The life of Adèle" Abdellatif Kechiche will compete for the Golden Globes in category "Best Foreign Film".

 

A new award for “The life of Adèle”?

 

The French film Abdellatif Kechiche will compete for the trophy for Best Foreign Film at the 71st Golden Globes.

 

The Palme d'Or, interpreted by Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos will be particularly opposed to "The Big bellezza" of Italian Paolo Sorrentino and "The Past" by Iranian Asghar Farhadi.

 

(actu, 12 Thursday December 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 12 Thursday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Ferry services cancelled due to bad weather

Ferry services cancelled due to bad weather

 

ANA-MPA -- Bad weather led to the cancellation of several ferry services on Tuesday, while the car ferry "Aqua Maria" was unable to dock at the tiny island of Agios Efstratios and had to continue its journey to Kavala without stopping.

 

It was due to let off seven passengers and one truck and take four passengers and two trucks from the island.

 

Authorities have ordered all ferries in Piraeus port to remain in the dock, cancelling scheduled trips to the islands apart from one trip at 18:00 to Aegina in the Saronic Gulf, due to forecasts of gale-force winds expected to reach up to 9-10 Beaufort at sea on Tuesday night.

 

The only ferry that will sail from Rafina on Tuesday is the 17:30 stopping at Andros, Tinos, C and the 18:00 ferry for Marmari.

 

The harbour in Lavrio will be closed and there will be no ferry journeys to Alexandroupolis-Samothrace, Kavala-Prinos and Keramoti-Thassos.

 

The only trip on the Agia Maria - Nea Styra ferry will be at 17:30, while on the Oropos-Eretria and Arkitsa-Aidipsos ferry links there will be trips at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00.

 

The only journey on the Volos-Sporades ferry link was at 16:00.

 

The ferry company ANEK Lines also announced the cancellation of journeys by the car ferries 'Elyros' and 'Latos' due to leave at 21:00 from Piraeus for Hania, Crete.

 

The two ferries will carry out the journey at the same time on Wednesday if conditions allow.

 

The company has also cancelled a trip by the "Preveli" from Rhodes to Iraklio, stopping at Halki, Pigadia, Kassos and Siteia.

 

(Athens News Agency, 10 Tuesday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Greek Parliament passes 2014 budget aimed at leading economy back to growth rates

Greek Parliament passes 2014 budget aimed at leading economy back to growth rates

 

[caption id="attachment_10641" align="alignnone" width="605"] (Photo Athens News Agency)[/caption]

 

The Greek Parliament passed the 2014 budget with a majority vote in the early hours of Sunday.

 

The Parliament with 153 votes in favor, 142 against and one present vote, ratified the government's budget which envisages the return of the Greek economy to positive growth rates after five years of deep recession.

 

All opposition parties voted against the budget, along with all independent deputies with the exception of George Kasapidis, who voted present.

 

New Democracy deputy Aris Spiliotopoulos was absent from the vote as he was on a trip to the United States for a NATO meeting.

 

Speaking to reporters, shortly after the vote in Parliament, Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said that the 2014 budget "was a budget of recovery, prospect and hope".

 

"The voting (of the budget) is a very positive step," the Your Prime Minister stressed.

 

(Athens News Agency, 8 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Greece to stay in recession in 2014, may need new bailout: OECD

Greece to stay in recession in 2014, may need new bailout: OECD

 

[caption id="attachment_10359" align="alignnone" width="400"] (The Greek economy is expected to contract by 0.4 percent in 2014, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (AFP/File, Louisa Gouliamaki))[/caption]

 

(AFP)

 

Athens — Greece will remain mired in recession in 2014 for a seventh straight year, and is likely to need more financial assistance, the OECD said on Wednesday, in contrast to forecasts by Athens.

 

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said the Greek economy would contract by 0.4 percent, and said Greece was likely to need additional aid.

 

"The need for further assistance to achieve fiscal sustainability cannot be excluded," the OECD said.

 

"If negative macroeconomic risks materialise...serious consideration should be given to further assistance to achieve debt sustainability," it said.

 

Greece last week unveiled a budget in which it said the deep recession in the economy would end next year with 0.6 percent growth, following a 4.0-percent contraction in 2013.

 

But the budget was tabled without Athens having reached a full agreement with auditors from the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission.

 

In a separate study, the OECD said Greece's crisis-hit economy could gain by at least 5.2 billion euros ($7 billion) if hundreds of trade restrictions were abolished.

 

The organization said it had found 555 regulatory restrictions that were "potentially harmful" to competition, in a study commissioned by the conservative-led Greek government.

 

The sectors examined were food processing, retail trade, building materials and tourism, which account for 21 percent of the Greek economy and almost 27 percent of total employment, according to 2011 figures.

 

"If the particular restrictions are lifted, the OECD has calculated a positive effect to the Greek economy of around 5.2 billion euros," the organization said.

 

"But the positive effects on the Greek economy over time are likely to be far greater," it said.

 

Among the recommendations are the full liberalisation of Sunday trade, which is currently restricted to a handful of pre-holiday sales periods.

 

The move is opposed by Greek trade associations on the grounds that most businesses are family-operated and are unable to hire more staff owing to persistently poor sales, made worse by recession and three years of tax increases.

 

The OECD also suggests the abolition of taxes on advertising, flour and cement and the liberalisation of prices for over-the-counter medicine and dietary supplements.

 

The coalition government of conservative Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is attempting to push through legislation liberalising the trade and labour sectors.

 

But the government has a slim majority in parliament and faces the threat of internal dissent, in addition to frequent strike action from unions.

 

Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 27 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Riot policeman

News: Riot policeman

 

[caption id="attachment_10143" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Aris Messins)[/caption]

 

Anti-émeute

 

Un policier anti-émeute devant le ministère grec des Finances à Athènes.

 

Riot

 

A riot policeman in front of the Greek Finance Ministry in Athens.

 

(AFP - Aris Messins)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 13 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 22 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Santos: It is a victory for the Greek people

Santos: It is a victory for the Greek people

 

(AFP) Wednesday 20 November 2013

 

[caption id="attachment_10072" align="alignnone" width="400"] (© Getty Images)[/caption]

 

Fernando Santos has proclaimed his team's qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ as "a victory for the Greek people".

 

Greece secured their ticket with a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their play-off with Romania on Tuesday, which completed a 4-2 aggregate win.

 

The 2004 European champions will be appearing at their third World Cup, after 1994 and 2010, and their fifth major tournament in the last decade.

 

"I know that this qualification is important to me, for the players, but also for the Greek people," said Santos.

 

"It is a message of hope and faith. Belief in our abilities and hope that the wheel will turn and we will find ourselves overcoming the [economic] crisis."

 

Forward Dimitris Salpingidis, who scored in the 3-1 first-leg win, said: "We are pleased to bring such joy to millions of Greeks."

 

Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos added that united Greeks can achieve miracles: "When you work hard, things come into place."

 

Orestis Karnezis, who kept goal in both matches against Romania, said qualifying "is a dream come true for all of us. We are very happy and touched, just like our coach. We deserve to go to Brazil."

 

(FIFA, 20 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

'MTV Unplugged - Live In Athens' — Release date: November 29th 2013

'MTV Unplugged - Live In Athens' — Release date: November 29th 2013

 

The greatest delight for the Scorpions fans, of which there are several million throughout the world, is the fact that there is no end in sight for the Farewell World Tour, even though this has been continuing for three years now.

 

Scorpions still are Germany’s internationally most popular rock band ever in the history of music, and of the 38 countries where farewell shows are planned, only 23 have been covered to date.

 

On top of this, the band has found the time and energy to bring to life a very special event: their first MTV Unplugged show.

 

On 11 and 12 September 2013, Klaus Meine (vocals, guitars), Rudolf Schenker (guitars, vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums) played two fantastic acoustic sets in the Lycabettus theatre of Athens.

 

The open-air theatre, which was designed by the Greek architect Takis Zenetos in 1965 – and thus is just the same age as the story of the Scorpions – is situated on Mount Lycabettus, at 300m height, and offers an impressive view of the Greek metropolis.

 

But the spectacular scenery is not the only reason that convinced the Scorpions to choose Athens for the first ever open-air show in the history of MTV Unplugged.

 

‘When we were approached with the idea of playing an unplugged show, we immediately thought of Greece,’ Klaus Meine recalls.

 

Matthias Jabs adds, ‘We have fabulous fans all over the world, but the Greeks are absolute die-hard fans.’

 

Concerning the choice of venue, the Lycabettus theatre, Meine explains, ‘We played here many years ago. It is a beautiful place. I can remember that even back then the fans climbed onto the surrounding rocks. Of course we played some of the greatest classics this time, but we also performed a few new songs as well as material that we had never played live up to then. Those are songs which are very popular with the fans but which somehow never made it onto the set lists.’

 

More than ten years ago, the Scorpions had already played a few acoustic sets, the result of which, ‘Acoustica’, was released on CD and DVD in 2001, with great international success.

 

However, the current programme, including a total of two dozen songs, is virtually completely different.

 

First of all, we have the band’s brand new songs, whose stunning live debut filled the audience with instant enthusiasm.

 

Alongside ‘Dancing With The Moonlight’ and ‘Rock'n'Roll Band’, both of which can be easily imagined in perfect rock versions, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs presented one song each penned by every artist himself.

 

The instrumental track ‘Delicate Dance’ with Matthias Jabs as leader is based on guitar spheres which could easily settle in between the psychedelic glamour of Pink Floyd and the boogie folk of Led Zeppelin.

 

’Love Is The Answer’ is a ballad for which Rudolf Schenker took over as lead vocalist – a feat that does not happen very often.

 

And immediately after this, Klaus Meine surprises us with the world premiere of ‘Follow Your Heart’, another power ballad destined for the charts.

 

The show is opened by ‘Sting In The Tail’, arranged in Cajun style.

 

This song, taken from the eponymous album of 2010, bears witness to how deeply the Scorpions are rooted in rock'n'roll and blues, virtually the topsoil and nurture of hard rock.

 

The same applies to the set of classics that follow, such as ‘Pictured Life’, ‘Speedy's Coming’ or the hymnal ‘Born To Touch Your Feelings’, in which the Greek actress Dimitra Kokkori surprises with a truly heart-wrenching spoken-word part.

 

It goes without saying that the beautiful lady is not the only guest starring at this exceptional event.

 

On the nights featured here, the five Scorpions can count on the relentless support of the Swedish musicians and producers Mikael Nord Andersson (guitars, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Martin Hansen (guitars, harmonica, vocals), who are also responsible for the arrangements made specifically for the MTV Unplugged Show, and who also produced the latest Scorpions studio album.

 

Further Swedish support comes in the shapes of Ola Hjelm (guitars, vocals) and Hans Gardemar (keyboards, accordion, vocals), as well as from percussionist PiTTi Hecht from Hannover, who is renowned as one of the best percussionists in Europe.

 

To round off this magnificent cast performing at the Lycabettus theatre, there is a string ensemble consisting of eight Greek ladies, whom Klaus Meine introduces as ‘The Strings from Heaven’.

 

Indeed, a truly heavenly performance is offered by Klaus Meine and Hamburgbased CÄTHE with their version of ‘In Trance’.

 

CÄTHE, who released her second album, ‘Verschollenes Tier’, this summer, shows all her charisma in this true seventies classic.

 

‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’, one of the most popular rock songs by the Scorpions, and frenetically applauded by the audience, features Revolverheld’s Johannes Strate as guest vocalist battling with Klaus Meine, and the ultimate world hit ‘Wind Of Change’ offers a unique aha-experience in its own right when Morten Harket comes on stage for this encore.

 

Throughout its two-and-a-half hours, the show captivates with its numerous intimate moments and infectious adrenaline rushes (such as during a percussion solo).

 

And there are even more nuggets from the sheer endless stock of hits – such as ‘Still Loving You’ and ‘Big City Nights’, ‘No One Like You’ and ‘When The Smoke Is Going Down’ – as well as a few welcome surprises to dazzle the connoisseur.

 

‘When You Came Into My Life’, where Rudolf Schenker plays a sitar, is one of those tracks which the Scorpions had never before played live, as are ‘Where The River Flows’ and ‘Passion Rules The Game’.

 

In view of this unplugged marathon with the stunning emotional momentum it conveys, it is difficult to pinpoint single highlights, but what can be stated with certainty is that the Scorpions evidently enjoyed this musical rollercoaster ride through their own history.

 

It is equally obvious that both rock songs and power ballads display their class and style even when rendered as acoustic versions.

 

The melodies maintain their timeless compositional appeal and the quality of the performance proves time and again that the Scorpions are blessed – this time especially by the Greek gods, it seems.

 

Let us glance into the future: MTV Unplugged will be released in 50 countries and promises to be yet another success story in the sheer limitless Scorpions saga.

 

Fans can also look forward to the documentary motion picture ‘Big City Nights’ by Katja von Garnier, whose band portrait will be shown in cinemas before it is later released on DVD.

 

‘MTV Unplugged’ by the Scorpions is released on 29 November 2013, available as double CD, DVD, Bluray and in various other digital and physical configurations.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Sting In The Tail

2. Can't Live Without You

3. Pictured Life

4. Speedy's Coming

5. Born To Touch Your Feelings

6. The Best Is Yet to Come

7. Dancing With The Moonlight

8. In Trance (with CÄTHE)

9. When You Came Into My Life

10. Delicate Dance (Matthias Solo)

11. Love Is The Answer (Rudolf Solo)

12. Follow Your Heart (Klaus Solo)

13. Send Me An Angel

14. Where The River Flows

15. Passion Rules The Game

16. Rock You Like A Hurricane (with Johannes Strate)

17. Hit Between The Eyes

18. Drum-Athenica, PiTTi vs. James

19. Rock 'n' Roll Band

20. Blackout

21. Still Loving You

22. Big City Nights

23. Wind Of Change (with Morten Harket)

24. No One Like You

25. When The Smoke Is Going Down

 

http://www.the-scorpions.com/english/

 

(Scorpions Official Website)

 

 

BA announces weekly direct flights to Mykonos, Santorini for next summer

BA announces weekly direct flights to Mykonos, Santorini for next summer

 

[caption id="attachment_9869" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo: Athens News Agency)[/caption]

 

ANA-MPA -- British Airways on Tuesday announced the launch of scheduled flights to the fashionable Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini in the summer of 2014, linking the UK with two popular holiday destinations in Greece.

 

The scheduled flights to Mykonos will begin on May 3 and to Santorini on May 4.

 

Both islands will be serviced with two weekly flights until the end of the summer season.

 

BA Commercial Manager of Greece Freddie Stier noted that the airline gives a vote of confidence to Greece, adding that this move will boost the local economy.

 

Bookings are already available at ba.com and tour operators.

 

(Athens News Agency, 12 Tuesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Europe must adopt 'common action' against youth unemployment, Prime Minister urges EU leaders

Europe must adopt 'common action' against youth unemployment, Prime Minister urges EU leaders

 

[caption id="attachment_9858" align="alignnone" width="800"] (Photo: Athens News Agency)[/caption]

 

ANA-MPA -- Greek Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Tuesday outlined the Greek government's key priorities in dealing with youth unemployment, while addressing a European leaders' conference held in Paris on joblessness among 15-24 year olds.

 

Your Prime Minister Samaras started by referring to Greek society's "fatigue" with an extended recession that had caused the jobless rate among young people to soar to a staggering 59 percent, more than double the rate for the general population, which stood at 27 percent.

 

"Different member-states have different levels of youth unemployment, for different reasons, but we all need to take common action," he said.

 

He then outlined the general direction of the Greek government's new policies, with structural reforms in the economy and society.

 

Your Prime Minister Samaras stressed that Greece was fully prepared for a comprehensive implementation of two basic programmes for young people demanded by Europe, the "Young People's Initiative" and "Guarantees for Youth", announcing that full implementation of both programmes will be achieved from January.

 

In terms of legislation, Your Prime Minister Samaras referred to the institution of apprenticeships, noting that this dual system served to link mandatory education with the labour market, strengthening the bonds between education and professional experience.

 

The Greek premier also referred to a reorganisation of the country's Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) and its cooperation with similar agencies notable for their success in other countries, such as Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom.

 

"We are putting into implementation institutional tools for the prompt identification of labour market trends. In this way we can evaluate future problems at a very early stage," he said.

 

Your Prime Minister Samaras said that Greece had recently completed its national operational plan for employment, which is also demanded by Europe in order to boost the number of jobs.

 

In collaboration with the EU Task Force for Greece, meanwhile, the Greek government has started to carry out this plan, adding new tools like community work and the 'voucher' programme.

 

"Over and above these structural interventions and necessary cyclical initiatives, we need a long-term strategy to alleviate the repercussion of the crisis for young people," Your Prime Minister Samaras added.

 

"This calls for a sustainable model for growth that will lead the European continent in coming decades," he added.

 

The Greek premier ended on a note of optimism, saying that "2014 must be the year for the recovery of the European economy, which will allow us to deal finally with unemployment among the young."

 

Your Prime Minister Samaras was accompanied at the conference by Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutsis, who had arrived a day earlier and attended a morning conference with his European counterparts.

 

Twenty four European leaders, among them German Chancellor Angela Merkel, accepted the invitation from French President His Excellency Francois Hollande, with British Prime Minister David Cameron being among those absent.

 

The conference follows a July summit initiated by Merkel in Berlin, where she described youth unemployment as one of the most pressing issues facing Europe.

 

According to the European Commission's latest statistics, the EU-wide youth joblessness rate stands at 23.5 per cent.

 

A total of 7.5 million aged 15-24 are neither in work, education or training.

 

The equivalent figures in Greece and Spain are the highest on the continent, at 57.3 pct and 56.5 pct, respectively.

 

(Athens News Agency, 12 Tuesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

 

German and Norman

German and Norman

 

Japanese persons are Norman.

 

This is from DNA.

 

This is the famous Japanese persons are Marron Blond.

 

This is the famous Japanese persons BMI is ‘British Made’.

 

This is the famous ‘Misery German and Happy Norman’.

 

The baby face aged men and the beautiful ladies and the Lolita are in the east side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy.

 

Many Norman are in the east side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy.

 

Many German are in the west side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy.

 

Many German is Gold Blond.

 

The House of Shirose is the famous ‘Lord Of Light’.

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon The Commonwealth The British The Independent The Self-Government SACRA The Kingdom of Ryukyu

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon The Commonwealth The British The Independent The Self-Government SACRA The Kingdom of Ryukyu The Kingdom of Mandarin

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon The Commonwealth The British The Independent The Self-Government SACRA The Kingdom of Ryukyu SACRA The Kingdom of Greece

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon The Commonwealth The British The Independent The Self-Government SACRA The Kingdom of Ryukyu The Kingdom of Austria

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon The Commonwealth The British The Independent The Self-Government SACRA The Kingdom of Ryukyu The Kingdom of Hungary

 

The Roman Empire The Commonwealth The British SACRA The Kingdom of Nihon The Commonwealth The British The Independent The Self-Government SACRA The Kingdom of Ryukyu The Kingdom of Czechoslovakia

 

The Roman Empire The Kingdom of France

 

We united.

 

We stand our Monarch as Their Royal Highness Prince Andrew of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Great Britain.

 

We are sharing informations.

 

Almost we are in the east side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy.

 

The west side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy stand Monarch as Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Great Britain.

 

The west side of Trieste city of The Roman Empire The Kingdom of Italy united.

 

We are living in The Roman Empire.

 

(R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 8 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

 

IN ATHENS, RWB CALLS FOR GREEK MEDIA’S TRANSFORMATION

IN ATHENS, RWB CALLS FOR GREEK MEDIA’S TRANSFORMATION

 

[caption id="attachment_9721" align="alignnone" width="630"] (Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire at Athens (Photo: Reporters Without Boarders))[/caption]

 

On the second day of a two-day visit to Athens in the wake of the Greek government’s abrupt closure of state broadcaster ERT’s three TV stations, Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire called today for a “media spring” in Greece.

 

In interviews for various media, including those of ERT, and in an address to thousands of demonstrators outside ERT headquarters today, Deloire stressed RWB’s solidarity with the Greek public, Greece’s journalists and ERT employees following the closure, which led RWB to ask in a release yesterday whether the government was trying to “economize on democracy.”

 

Deloire urged the Greek Council of State to “take all necessary measures so that the reopening of the ERT group and a resumption of service by the disconnected TV stations can be carried out as soon as possible.”

 

Recalling the democratic requirements for European Union membership and article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which says that, “The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected,” Deloire called on EU bodies to “take a position on the legality of the Greek government’s decision to close the state broadcaster.”

 

But Deloire also referred to the many other difficulties experienced by news providers in Greece in recent years and stressed that “reopening ERT will not be enough.”

 

“It is the entire media system that must be transformed,” he said. “It is time to end the conflicts of interest, the lack of transparency and the political affiliations. A transition from a state broadcaster to a public broadcaster that really serves the Greek people should be a government priority.”

 

Deloire also stressed the importance for Greek democracy of “independent journalists in both state and privately-owned media, journalists who resist government pressure, personal interests and self-censorship, journalists without links to political party, journalists capable of playing the role of watchdog and reporting the truth to the Greek people.”

 

To ensure the media’s independence, Deloire said, “a new basic law on media freedom, guaranteeing pluralism, must be adopted and implemented.” He also urged the Greek authorities to “stop intervening in the media and stop prosecuting journalists in connection with their reporting.”

 

He finally urged the Greek authorities “to be uncompromising in dealing with violations of freedom of information” and to “end the climate of impunity surrounding the repeated acts of violence against journalists.”

 

(Reporters Without Borders, 13 Thursday June 2013 The Roman)

 

Spain extreme right leverages crisis, break-up fears

Spain extreme right leverages crisis, break-up fears

 

(AFP, MADRID)

 

With a piercing blue gaze, Spain’s National Alliance president Pedro Pablo Pena openly declares himself a fascist and neo-Nazi, part of a marginal movement that is trying to gain ground at a time of economic pain and national uncertainty.

 

Pena, watched by young party followers, outlines his ideology candidly: “Nation, race and socialism,” words that are painted on the walls of his small Madrid headquarters next to the party’s emblem, which has clear Nazi connotations.

 

It is still a marginal ideology in Spain with barely 0.3 percent of the vote going to the extreme right in the 2011 elections and a dozen councilors sprinkled in the city and town halls of the Madrid, Valencia and Catalonia regions.

 

Yet they are trying to take a stronger role as Spaniards suffer in a double-dip recession, corruption scandals batter the main parties and doubts emerge over the country’s unity, with many Catalans campaigning for their region’s independence.

 

However, unlike France and Greece, analysts largely rule out the dawn of a significant extreme right movement in Spain, where General Francisco Franco’s long dictatorship remains a painful memory, and immigration is widely accepted.

 

“I don’t see movements or parties in Spain like those we are seeing in Europe that really have the capacity to destabilize the political system,” Autonomous University of Madrid political science professor Fernando Vallespin said.

 

In Spain, the ruling, right-leaning Popular Party, in power since scoring a landslide election win in 2011 over the country’s other main political force, the Socialist Party, usually picks up such votes.

 

The Popular Party, a successor to the Popular Alliance founded in 1976 by former Franco minister Manuel Fraga, “has been able to incorporate social sectors that would have joined these movements,” Vallespin said.

 

Such voters manage to feel comfortable with some of the Popular Party’s ideology, he said.

 

Critics say the Popular Party has shown a lax attitude in the past months to Francoism, which it has never condemned.

 

On Oct. 10, the Popular Party used its parliamentary majority to block a motion seeking to criminalize “defense or praise for Francoism, fascism, totalitarianism or Nazism.”

 

The Popular Party said there was no need for such a law because a new criminal code being debated in parliament already punished hate speech or Holocaust denial.

 

Over the summer, various photographs were published of leading young members of the Popular Party with fascist symbols.

 

The recent use of a public school in the Popular Party-controlled Madrid district of Quijorna to host a market selling Franco-era memorabilia also sparked widespread consternation.

 

“Where we see smoke, we imagine fire,” said left-wing Izquierda Unida party lawmaker Gaspar Llamazares.

 

Llamazares asked prosecutors to outlaw National Alliance after some of its members attacked a Catalan cultural center in Madrid on Catalonia’s national day on Sept. 11.

 

Pena said the media focus on the attack actually raised National Alliance’s profile, sending the number of telephone calls from people seeking to join surging from a dozen a month to more than 20 a day.

 

Along with other small extreme right parties grouped under the platform “Spain on the March,” which was formed in July, the party organized a protest against Catalan independence in Barcelona on Oct. 12, rallying some 400 neo-Nazis behind Franco-era flags and fascist-style symbols.

 

In Spain, extreme right-wing movements won support not so much from a reaction against immigration as a desire to create a Spain unaffected by regional separatist movements, Vallespin said.

 

Pena echoed his analysis.

 

“What we aim to do is to regain a segment of the Spanish population that still believes in the virtues of the Spanish people: honesty, discipline, patriotism, religion, manliness. Traditional values,” said Pena, a lawyer by profession who founded the party in 2006.

 

The strength of the economic crisis, which has driven the unemployment rate to 26.3 percent, and widespread corruption also give the extremists a foothold.

 

“The crisis can help us,” Pena said.

 

(TAIPEI TIMES, 28 Monday October 2013 The Roman)

 

Popular Party: Ruling party in The Kingdom of Spain.

 

(R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 28 Monday October 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Greece to emerge from crippling six year recession in 2014

Greece to emerge from crippling six year recession in 2014

 

Rise in tourism, investment and exports expected to help Greece haul itself out of recession next year, finance ministry says

 

[caption id="attachment_9269" align="alignnone" width="400"] (The Greek economy, which has shrunk about a quarter since its peak in 2007, will grow by 0.6pc next year thanks to a rebound in investment and exports including tourism, the budget predicted. The economy is set to contract by 4pc this year. (Photo: Reuters))[/caption]

 

(Reuters)

 

Greece will emerge from six years of recession next year, its draft 2014 budget projected on Monday, in one of the strongest signs yet that the country has left the worst of its crippling debt crisis behind.

 

The economy, which has shrunk about a quarter since its peak in 2007, will grow by 0.6pc next year thanks to a rebound in investment and exports including tourism, the budget predicted.

 

The economy is set to contract by 4pc this year.

 

Athens is also targeting a primary budget surplus of 1.6pc of national output next year and is on track to post a small surplus this year.

 

Attaining a primary surplus - excluding debt servicing costs - is key to helping Athens secure debt relief from its international lenders.

 

"In the last three years Greece found itself in a painful recession with an unprecedented level of unemployment," Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said as he unveiled the 2014 budget.

 

"Since this year the sacrifices have begun to yield fruit, giving the first signs of an exit from the crisis."

 

Excluded from financial markets since 2010, Greece has been kept afloat solely with €240bn (£202bn) in aid from its EU and IMF partners.

 

After nearly crashing out of the euro zone and dragging down the global economy along with it, Athens has returned to more stable financial footing over the past year, though it is still expected to require further debt relief.

 

Athens now hopes it can return to the bond markets in the second half of next year, Mr Staikouras said.

 

The draft budget targets a general government deficit of 2.4pc of gross domestic product next year.

 

Public debt remains at mountainous levels - projected to reach 174.5pc of GDP in 2014.

 

(The Telegraph, 7 Monday October 2013 The Roman)

Greek Golden Dawn leader appears in court

Greek Golden Dawn leader appears in court

 

Wednesday's court appearance comes after three MPs from the far-right party are freed pending trial.

 

[caption id="attachment_9097" align="alignnone" width="400"] (If convicted, Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos faces at least 10 years in prison [AP])[/caption] 

Leader and founder of the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn went to court on Wednesday, as part of a crackdown on the group following the murder of an anti-fascist musician.

 

Nikos Michaloliakos is due to be charged after an examining magistrate has linked Golden Dawn to dozens of cases, including two homicides, three attempted homicides, two robberies and an arson attack against a bank.

 

If convicted, Michaloliakos faces at least 10 years in prison, alongside other members of his party, including his deputy Christos Pappas, who is set to be charged on Thursday.

 

"We have a golden opportunity to purge our society of violence," Greek government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou told Skai Radio, calling the group "a criminal organisation that tried to cover itself under a political cloak."

 

Three members freed

 

Today's court appearance comes after three arrested Golden Dawn members were freed pending their trial on charges of belonging to a criminal group while a fourth member was jailed.

 

The party's spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris was released on bail of 50,000 euros and restrictions from leaving the country.

 

Ilias Panagiotaros and Nikos Michos were released with travel restrictions while Yannis Lagos was sent to jail pending trial.

 

All four denied charges against them in a marathon plea session before an investigating magistrate that ended early on Wednesday after more than 18 hours.

 

Kasidiaris said he was a victim of political persecution.

 

The surprise decision to free them complicates the government's efforts to clamp down on the party after one of its sympathisers fatally stabbed an anti-fascism rapper last month.

 

Third most popular party

 

Golden Dawn was the country's third most popular party until the September killing of a leftist hip-hop musician sparked nationwide protests and a government crackdown on the group long accused of attacking immigrants, charges that it denies.

 

The investigation has revealed a series of "criminal acts" by the group, culminating in the alleged murder of anti-fascist musician Pavlos Fyssas by a self-confessed neo-Nazi on September 18, according to a government report, parts of which were leaked in the media on Monday.

 

Golden Dawn regularly organised "assault militias" in which dozens of members would swarm the streets, hitting any immigrant they saw with clubs, it said.

 

(Source: Al Jazeera and agencies)

 

(Al Jazeera, 2 Wednesday October 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Golden Dawn leaders 'ran criminal underworld'

Golden Dawn leaders 'ran criminal underworld'

 

Greece accused the leaders of the far-Right Golden Dawn of running an alleged criminal underworld, as four MPs appeared before Athens magistrates.

 

[caption id="attachment_9068" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Golden Dawn spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris arrives at the court in Athens on Tuesday (Photo: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP))[/caption]

 

Dozens of Golden Dawn supporters shouted slogans of support for the MPs and taunted onlookers outside the court.

 

The preliminary hearing reviewed the allegations against Ilias Kasidiaris, Ilias Panagiotaros, Yiannis Lagos and Nikos Mihos.

 

They were among 22 members rounded up in a police operation following the fatal stabbing of Pavlos Fyssas, a Greek anti-fascist rap singer, last month.

 

Officials said Mr Kasidiaris was charged as “operations chief” of an alleged criminal organisation that trained “hit squads” that were responsible for mob rule in party strongholds.

 

The other three were all charged with similar crimes.

 

Nikos Michaloliakos, the party’s leader, will appear in court for deposition on Wednesday, and his deputy, Christos Pappas will appear Thursday.

 

Mr Panagiotaros, who was in handcuffs, raised his fists and proclaimed his innocence, shouting: “This fairy-tale has no end.”

 

He was to appeal against his detention on the basis of parliamentary immunity.

 

The court magistrate will decide if the suspects will be kept in detention pending trial.

 

The killing of Fyssas prompted protests across Greece, a shake-up of the police and a broad investigation of Golden Dawn.

 

Ahead of the hearing, police released transcripts that detailed suspected criminal activity, including racketeering, pimping and possession of firearms.

 

Police also released photographs from the arrested men’s homes showing Nazi memorabilia.

 

Mr Pappas had items on display including a Waffen SS poster, an Adolf Hitler street-sign, swastikas and wine bottles labelled with images of the Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

 

Golden Dawn has risen to become Greece’s third most popular party, riding on a wave of anger over the financial crisis.

 

It won nearly 7 per cent of the vote and gained 18 MPs in elections last year.

 

(The Telegraph, 1 Tuesday October 2013 The Roman)

 

Golden Dawn leadership to appear in court on Tuesday

Golden Dawn leadership to appear in court on Tuesday

 

Senior members of Greek’s Far Right Golden Dawn party are expected to appear in court on Tuesday as Athens seeks to quell growing unrest over the murder of an anti-Fascist activist.

 

The party’s founder, Nikos Michaloliakos, and four other Golden Dawn MPs have spent the weekend in custody after being arrested on Saturday on charges of belonging to a criminal organisation.

 

Police said a sixth lawmaker, Christos Papas, a close aide to the party leader, turned himself in to police headquarters in Athens on Sunday.

 

It follows the fatal stabbing two weeks ago of a Greek rap artist and anti-racism campaigner, Pavlos Fyssas, alleged by a self-confessed neo-Nazi who worked in one of Golden Dawn’s offices.

 

Mr Fyssas’s death sparked widespread protests across the country, some of which turned violent.

 

The move against the party’s MPs is intended partly to deflected criticisms that the government has failed to stop violence linked to Golden Dawn, whose followers have been linked to numerous attacks on immigrants.

 

But it also risks creating a backlash among supporters of the group, which is now Greece’s third largest political party.

 

It has already threatened to pull its 18 MPs out of parliament in protest at what it sees as a politically-motivated crackdown.

 

Such a move would force by-elections that could wreck the fragile coalition government cobbled together by Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, the prime minister, thereby jeopardising the political backing for Greece’s current financial bail-out deal.

 

Your prime Minister Samaras is due in Washington on Tuesday for meetings with the International Monetary Fund.

 

“This is not just a message for internal use, to show that it puts a halt to violence, this is a message directed outwards, to Europe and others,” said Ilias Nikolakopoulos, a political analyst.

 

Ilias Panayiotaros, a Golden Dawn MP and party spokesman, said before giving himself up on Saturday: “Shame on them, the people will lift Golden Dawn higher.”

 

Police say they found three pistols, ammunition and thousands of euros in cash at Mr Michaloliakos’s home.

 

Several police officers thought suspected of links to Golden Dawn were suspended ahead of the arrests to prevent the MPs being tipped off about planned raids on their homes.

 

A policeman thought to have been working as a bodyguard for the party has also been arrested.

 

Golden Dawn has issued a rallying call via a text message, saying: “We call upon everyone to support our moral and just struggle against the corrupt system.”

 

(The Telegraph, 29 Sunday September 2013 The Roman)

 

Golden Dawn wire tapped as Greece reels from violent protests

Golden Dawn wire tapped as Greece reels from violent protests

 

The Greek intelligence service have placed wire taps inside the communications of Golden Dawn - the far-Right political party suspected of having links to the murder of a Left wing rapper, it has been claimed.

 

[caption id="attachment_8976" align="alignnone" width="400"] (A police officer runs away from a Molotov cocktail as clashes continue in Athens Wednesday night (Photo: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP))[/caption]

 

In a turbulent 24 hours for Greece, anti-fascist protests became violent, an army website demanded the resignation of the government, and an official admitted they planted wire taps in the communications of a neo-Nazi political party.

 

The intelligence service official told the AFP news agency that the wire taps on Golden Dawn were authorised to prove alleged complicity in crimes following the murder of an anti-fascist rapper.

 

Pavlos Fyssas, a 34-year-old hip hop artist, was fatally stabbed in an Athens commuter town on September 17 in an apparent ambush.

 

The group has denied it had anything to do with the killing, but he was stabbed to death by a self-proclaimed supporter.

 

“The intelligence service has the authority to conduct wiretaps for reasons of national safety, provided there is judicial approval,” the source said.

 

“Both random and targeted wiretaps have been carried out for quite some time.”

 

The murder of Mr Fyssas caused outrage across Greece.

 

On Wednesday at least 10,000 people demonstrated in Athens in an anti-fascist protest organised by unions and political parties.

 

“The crisis brought us to our knees but we need to say a loud 'no’ to fascism like we did in '74,” Vangelis Georgountzos, 59, told local newspaper Ekathimerini, referring to the student uprising that led to the overthrow of Greece’s then-ruling military junta.

 

But the protest descended into violence when demonstrators tried to approach Golden Dawn’s central offices in Athens.

 

Tear gas was fired after dozens of hooded demonstrators, some wearing motorcycle helmets, broke off from the initially peaceful march that police blocked from reaching the party’s offices.

 

Police chased small groups of protesters through the streets.

 

The rise of Golden Dawn, which won 18 parliamentary seats last year, has exposed Greece to international criticism a few months before it assumes the rotating European Union presidency in January.

 

Golden Dawn is now Greece’s third most popular political party, but its support has dropped by a third this month after the death of Fyssas.

 

It is rumoured however to be considering walking out of parliament, in an attempt to force elections.

 

Evangelos Venizelos, the deputy prime minister, warned on Thursday that doing so would be “political suicide” for them.

 

In a sign of the tension within the country, a blog post appeared on a military reservists’ website on Thursday demanding the resignation of the government and president and the appointment of an interim government under the guarantee of the armed forces.

 

The posting, which claimed it was speaking on behalf of the special forces reservists and the Greek people, demanded “the immediate resignation of the government due to its inability to provide to the nation the constitutional rights to labour ... health, education, justice, security.”

 

An Athens prosecutor ordered an investigation into the statement.

 

A later posting on the same site criticised coverage by local broadcast media and blogs of the issue, accusing them of “trying to characterise us as coup instigators.”

 

(The Telegraph, 26 Thursday September 2013 The Roman)

 

Greek neo-fascist party leader and senior members arrested

Greek neo-fascist party leader and senior members arrested

 

Greek police arrested the leader and more than a dozen senior members from the far-Right Golden Dawn on Saturday after the killing of an anti-fascist rapper by a party supporter prompted outrage and protests across the country.

 

[caption id="attachment_8963" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Mihaloliakos, right, was among those arrested (Photo: YANNIS BEHRAKIS/REUTERS))[/caption]

 

The party’s leader Nikolaos Mihaloliakos, spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris, three other MPs and around a dozen members were arrested on charges of founding a criminal organisation.

 

They are due to appear in court on Sunday to be charged formally.

 

It is the first time since the military dictatorship ended in 1974 that sitting members of parliament have been arrested.

 

The arrests underline the Greek government’s efforts to stifle the fiercely anti-immigrant party, which has been increasingly on the defensive since the fatal stabbing.

 

The rapidly growing neo-fascist group enjoyed unprecedented success in last year’s national elections, stunning political observers by winning 6.97 per cent of the vote — making it Greece’s third most popular political party.

 

Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s coalition government has so far resisted calls to ban the party, fearing it could make it even more popular at a time of growing anger at repeated rounds of austerity measures.

 

Instead, it has tried to undermine the party by ordering probes that could deprive it of state funding.

 

Golden Dawn officials condemned Saturday’s arrests as an “illegal decision”, and have already threatened to quit parliament if the crackdown on its members does not stop.

 

Any such move would prompt by-elections which could topple the coalition, which holds only a slim majority with 155 seats in the 300-seat parliament.

 

Your Prime Minister Samaras ruled out snap elections in the wake of the arrests, while Haralambos Athanassiou, the justice minister, insisted all those arrested would receive a fair trail.

 

Saturday’s swoop on the party came days after massive street protests in Athens against the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, an activist singer with the stage name of Killah P, who was stabbed to death in an Athens commuter town on Sept 17.

 

His death caused riots across the country.

 

Although Golden Dawn denied it had anything to do with the killing, the alleged murderer was a self-proclaimed supporter.

 

Popular support for the party has dropped by a third this month since the death of Fyssas.

 

The party has a long record of controversy.

 

Its black T-shirt-wearing henchmen have been involved in numerous attacks on immigrants in the capital, with elements of the security services accused of colluding with the party.

 

Mr Michaloliakos, who gave a Nazi salute upon being appointed to a seat on the Athens town council in 2010, is a devotee of George Papadopoulos, the former Greek dictator and spent time in prison in the late 1970s for an assault and attempted bombing attack.

 

Last year he denied the existence of gas chambers in Nazi concentration camps.

 

His wife Eleni Zaroulia, who entered parliament in June 2012, also attracted widespread criticism when she appeared wearing a ring in the shape of the Iron Cross, the military decoration of the Nazi armed forces.

 

Spokesman Kasidiaris, a former commando, infamously hit female Communist MP Liana Kanelli across the face during a talk show debate in June 2012.

 

A fellow MP threatened to remove immigrant children from hospitals to make room for Greek babies.

 

(The Telegraph, 28 Saturday September 2013 The Roman)