A journalist who had worked for some 20 years in the press office of the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE), Greece’s largest umbrella union, was yesterday charged by an Athens prosecutor of being involved in child pornography and procurement via the Internet.

Yiannis Haronikolaou, 44, admitted to having created a subscription-based website but denied knowing that it was used to book appointments with prostitutes. Officers said that the site had 10,000 hits a day and carried ads offering the chance to meet with up to 27 different underage girls. The prosecutor launched an investigation into three companies said to be involved in the procurement process.

GSEE yesterday fired Haronikolaou — who was arrested on Wednesday — saying the “vile” actions had been committed off union premises. The Athens Journalists’ Union was quick to point out the suspect was not a member.