In Brief
DOCKERS’ STRIKE
Industrial action has not led to shortages of goods, gov’t says Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos insisted yesterday that monthlong industrial action by workers at the Piraeus and Thessaloniki commercial ports has not led to shortages of goods on the market. Roussopoulos said that only 17 percent of goods sold on the market are brought through Greece’s ports. Dockers in Piraeus and Thessaloniki are refusing to work overtime in protest at government plans to privatize some services in the two ports. Roussopoulos said the government was in discussion with all the relevant sides in an attempt to reach a settlement. NARCOTICS LAB Albanian, 33, thought to have made cocaine, heroin in Athens apartment Police said yesterday they had arrested a 33-year-old Albanian national who allegedly operated a chemical laboratory in an apartment in Ambelokipi, central Athens, to produce cocaine and heroin. A second suspect is also wanted in connection to the drug operation that police believe also involved the distribution of large quantities of the narcotics. Police added that it is the third narcotics laboratory uncovered in Athens in the last four months. All of the suspects connected to the labs have been Albanian nationals. POSTMAN KILLED Man, 35, shot 8 times outside home A 35-year-old postman was shot and killed outside his home in Peristeri, western Athens, yesterday, police said. The victim was shot eight times on his way to work at 5.40 a.m. Police have launched an investigation into the incident but did not speculate on the motive behind the attack. Suicide threats Four men who claim they were owed money by the Municipality of Perama in Piraeus threatened to set themselves on fire if they were not paid the money. The men, who barged into the offices, said that they had been contracted by the council to complete construction work but have not been paid their fee. One of the four threatened to set himself on fire for the same reason last month but was convinced to give himself up. Casino theft Police said yesterday that a 38-year-old man, a former air force officer, is believed to have been in charge of a 1.6-million-euro holdup of an armored van from the Mont Parnes Casino in September. Police also arrested seven more suspects in connection to the heist, believed to be one of the largest hauls ever taken in a robbery. A female casino employee is also being sought by police who believe she had a relationship with the main suspect and provided information on the armored van. Samos migrants Coast guard officers on Samos detained 33 illegal immigrants in two separate operations on the eastern Aegean island yesterday, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. The migrants, including 13 women, are from Afghanistan, Somalia and Lebanon. The immigrants said they sailed to Samos from Turkey. Authorities said the immigrants underwent medical tests and were then taken to the island’s reception center, which already houses 180 people. Palaiocostas trial The trial of Nikos Palaiocostas, the fugitive robber who was captured in September, will begin on December 20, court sources said yesterday. There are 68 outstanding warrants and convictions against the 45-year-old convict, amounting to some 80 years’ imprisonment, issued during the 16 years that he had eluded capture. Palaiocostas had been wanted since 1989 for a string of robberies and a kidnapping. He denies being involved in planning the spectacular prison break of his brother Vassilis. Disguised meat The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) said yesterday that it had caught seven butchers in Attica selling meat from abroad labeled as Greek produce during November. The watchdog said that the butchers will be charged with misleading consumers and could face a fine of between 2,000 euros and 1 million euros from the Development Ministry. Some butchers label foreign meat as Greek so they can sell it more easily and at a higher price.
