In Brief
TOXIC WATER
Probe launched into record levels of pesticide found in Veria A prosecutor in Veria, northern Greece, launched an investigation yesterday to find out how a pesticide ended up in the city’s water network. The levels of the substance chlorpyrifos, found in the drinking water, were 2,260 times above the permissible level. The pesticide was detected on September 2 and residents were left without drinking water for nine days. ILLEGAL ANTIQUITIES Man detained after taking artifacts from archaeological site in Argos A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of taking artifacts from an illegal archaeological dig in Argos, in the Peloponnese, so he could sell them on the clandestine antiquities market, police said yesterday. The unnamed man was caught at the Elefsina toll station, west of Athens, as he was allegedly on his way to meet a potential buyer in the capital. The suspect was not named but police said that the antiquities could have fetched some 200,000 euros on the illegal market for ancient artifacts. SCULPTURE RETURNED US gives back Greek treasures An ancient stone coffin and a sculpture of a lion’s head have been returned to Greece after being handed over by two private owners in the United States, the Culture Ministry said yesterday. The artifacts were presented by new Culture Minister Michalis Liapis, who was sworn in yesterday. Both items were voluntarily turned over to the Greek Consulate in the US city of Boston and returned to Greece in late July. The undated marble sarcophagus bears the relief sculpture of a battle scene, while the lion sculpture is dated to Roman times. (AP) Bad medicine A 49-year-old man has been arrested in Maroussi, northern Athens, on suspicion of defrauding several doctors in Athens by convincing them to invest money in a physiotherapy center he claimed he would open. The unnamed man is alleged to have convinced one doctor to part with 50,000 euros after pretending to be a doctor himself. Police found a forged stamp from an Athens police station and the University of Athens at his home. Suicide rate Lots of sunshine and strong family ties have helped keep the number of suicides in Greece way below the levels seen in Eastern Europe, psychiatric experts said yesterday ahead of a conference in Thessaloniki. Greece has one of the lowest suicide rates in Europe, with five suicides for every 100,000 people. Russia and Lithuania, on the other hand, experience between 70 and 80 suicides for every 100,000 inhabitants. Pensioner bound Two men have been arrested in Yiannitsa, northern Greece, on suspicion of tying up a 71-year-old woman in her home so they could search the property for cash and valuables. The pensioner came across the men when she returned to her house in the village of Paralimni. The assailants used a rope to tie her to a chair before searching her handbag and the rest of the house. They did not find any valuables or cash and left without untying their victim. The two suspects are aged 24 and 31 but have not been named by police. Thessaloniki arrests Police arrested 25 people in Thessaloniki during the month of August and confiscated more than 7 kilos of heroin, police said yesterday. August figures show that police in the northern Greek city appropriated 7.4 kilos of heroin, 484 grams of cocaine and six guns from suspects. Separately, police uncovered yesterday a 400-plant cannabis plantation in the area of Lachana, close to Thessaloniki. Authorities have launched a manhunt for those believed to be in charge of the plants. Snack recall The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) announced the recall yesterday of sesame honey bars, produced by food company Vamvalis, for failing to write on its wrapper that it contains peanuts, which can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in some people. EFET added that the product traded under the label «Pasteli Farmer» was exclusively sold by Bazaar supermarkets.
