In Brief
THE REAL THING
Mysterious Minoan-era ring a ‘masterpiece’ An engraved gold piece of jewelry of doubtful origin known as the ‘Ring of Minos» has been pronounced by experts as an original, 3,500-year-old Minoan work from Crete, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos confirmed yesterday. A ministry committee of experts vetted the ring and estimated its value at 400,000 euros (163 million drachmas), he said, adding that a reward will be paid to the Cretan family that handed it over to the authorities. Venizelos said the 15th century BC ring – which was found at Knossos in 1928 – will be displayed at the Iraklion Archaeological Museum. Archaeologist Katie Demakopoulou, former director of the Athens National Archaeological Museum, called the ring a «masterpiece of Minoan art.» INTERNET SEDUCTION Court postpones trial due to contradictions in testimony The trial of a man charged with luring a Florida teenager to Greece via the Internet and sexually abusing her was yesterday postponed until July after judges decided the girl had to testify due to discrepancies in her depositions. Lindsay Shamrock’s mother attended the Thessaloniki court hearing yesterday. Shamrock was 15 when Greek-German Franz Constantin Baehring, 36, allegedly lured her to his hometown of Thessaloniki in August, 2000, after months of online correspondence. Baehring, who police suspect is involved in a child pornography ring, is charged with abduction and sexually assaulting a minor. Both charges carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence. TRASH STRIKE Garbage collectors march Hundreds of trash collectors and other municipal workers caused traffic chaos as they marched through central Athens yesterday, demanding pay rises, better benefits and permanent employment status as they began a 48-hour strike. The workers, who continue their action today, are also protesting against pension system reforms. The Interior Ministry said most of the workers’ demands are satisfied by draft legislation, adding that the next bill would probably propose a bonus increase. However, unionists were unsatisfied after meeting ministry officials. Umbrella defense A man who responded to a punch from the porter of his apartment block by poking the latter’s eye with an umbrella abused it as a tool for self-defense, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday. The umbrella-wielder – who appealed against a court order to pay 14,380 euros in compensation to the porter whom he accused of not offering the same level of service to all residents – must pay the penalty for partially blinding his antagonist as he knew he would inflict a greater injury than he had received, the court ruled. Marine protest Ferries remained moored at the port of Piraeus yesterday as merchant marine engineers staged a 24-hour strike, protesting against government plans to reform pensions. Only one ship, destined for the Saronic Islands, left Piraeus yesterday, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. Ship engineers, backed by the Communist Party, demonstrated in the port yesterday morning before meeting Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Anomeritis. They want state maintenance and funding of navy pension and health schemes. Ferry services from Piraeus resume today. Navy protection The government yesterday lent its support to fishermen from the northern town of Alexandroupolis – who have complained of frequent harassment by armed Turkish coastguard vessels inside Greek territorial waters – by sending the navy gunboat Niki to the port to protect Greek fishing boats in the northeastern Aegean. Policeman convicted A Thessaloniki court yesterday upheld a suspended jail sentence of two years and three months for a policeman who killed a 17-year-old Serbian schoolboy with his service revolver in October, 1998. Kyriakos Vantoulis, who is still on the force, appealed against his sentence, claiming his gun went off accidentally while he was searching Marko Bulatovic, whom he suspected of stealing a wallet. Vantoulis was found guilty of manslaughter through negligence and the illegal use of a firearm.
