UK court will not free Greek
An English court yesterday refused to release on bail a Greek national accused of terrorism-linked activities who was arrested in Newcastle 15 days ago under conditions of secrecy that provoked an angry demarche from Athens. Haralambos Dousemetzis, 25, a former Northumbria University student arrested on February 25, was charged on March 3 under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000 with possessing articles that could be used to instigate, prepare or commission acts of terrorism. Appearing in a magistrates court in Bedlington, northern England yesterday, he denied the charges, which carry a maximum 10-year sentence. Dousemetzis, from Argos, has lived in England for the past eight years and says he wants to do a PhD on terrorist groups. According to his English lawyer, he was found in possession of two rubber stamps and a proclamation associated with the November 17 terrorist group, which he praised in the che-lives.com Internet chat room. A new plea for release on bail will be made on April 8, when it will be decided whether there is sufficient evidence to try Dousemetzis.
