NEWS

In Brief

Archbishop recuperating

Christodoulos undergoes successful operation for intestine problem Archbishop Christodoulos, the head of the Church of Greece, remained in intensive care at the Aretaion Hospital in Athens yesterday after undergoing an operation on his intestine. Doctors said that the surgery had been a success and the archbishop was being kept in the intensive-care unit for precautionary reasons. Christodoulos was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and was diagnosed as suffering from a narrowing of the intestinal tract. Doctors said tests had also revealed that Christodoulos suffers from a chronic liver problem, which they are also trying to treat. Police impersonators Two men arrested near Acropolis after harassing passing tourists Two men were arrested on Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street near the Acropolis in Athens yesterday after impersonating policemen, officers said. The Romanian nationals, aged 33 and 54, allegedly dressed up as policemen and stopped tourists in the area to check their passports after flashing a fake badge. The suspects would claim that there were problems with the passports and then demanded money not to report the tourists. Officers on patrol in the area spotted the two men. BEACH INVESTIGATION Probe into coastal land ownership Supreme Court prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas has ordered a preliminary investigation into why parts of beach areas in Hellenikon, southern Athens, have been fenced off for use by nightspots. With the help of the municipality and the Technical Chamber of Commerce, authorities will investigate whether businesses have illegally taken over beach areas. Sources also said yesterday that judiciary officials are looking into Monday’s decision by a Piraeus court that allowed the nightspot Galazio to stay open for business despite efforts by municipal authorities to shut it down. Absent judges The Supreme Court issued a statement yesterday that it was common practice for some judges not to be present at plenary sessions when rulings are decided. The statement came after claims of irregular practices during a verdict on contract workers’ rights. The Supreme Court admitted that three judges had not been present at the plenary session but said that they voted by telephone. Officer nabbed A police officer, aged 23, was arrested in Athens yesterday after allegedly posting photos of his ex-girlfriend and her phone number on the Internet with a message that she offered adult services. The suspect was arrested by his colleagues from the Electronic Crimes Squad after the 20-year-old woman, a university student, reported the incident. Iraqi refugees The United Nations refugee agency urged Greece yesterday to do more to help Iraqi refugees. The UNHCR asked for Iraqis to be given the means to file a request for asylum, including those who are caught entering the country illegally. Greece received 1,415 request for asylum from Iraqis last year. Gas swindlers The 45-year-old owner of a gas station in Thessaloniki and a 30-year-old employee have been arrested on suspicion of installing a device on their pumps that provided customers with less fuel than they paid for, police said. The device was found during routine checks by officials from the Economy Ministry’s Special Investigation Service. Stolen goods Police confiscated from two antique dealers in Monastiraki, central Athens, items stolen from a monastery in a theft in which two nuns were killed. The items included gold coins, chains and rings left at the monastery as votive offerings. Two men were arrested earlier this month on suspicion of killing the two women in the 17th century Astrocosta Convent near the town of Astros, in the eastern Peloponnese. Boat explosion An explosion occurred on a 12-meter sailing boat at the Zea marina in Piraeus yesterday, slightly injuring two crew members. Port authorities launched an investigation into the incident.

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