NEWS

In Brief

BHUTTO CONDOLENCES

Greece condemns assassination and calls for democracy in Pakistan Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis joined other diplomats around the world yesterday in condemning the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was killed yesterday as she campaigned in Rawalpindi ahead of parliamentary elections next month. Bakoyannis said that Bhutto had fought for «democracy, peace, respect for human dignity and the reconciliation of her country.» Bakoyannis expressed the hope that Pakistan «will follow a road toward the creation of a democratic state, which would be the only justification for the tragic sacrifice of Benazir Bhutto.» ATHENS RAMPAGE Group of around 15 attacks riot police in front of PASOK headquarters A group of some 15 people yesterday attacked riot police officers that were stationed outside the main offices of PASOK on Harilaou Trikoupi Street in central Athens. Shortly before 4 p.m. the assailants threw rocks, bottles and other objects at the police, leading to the rear window of a parked car being smashed. Nobody was injured in the attack. The assailants managed to evade arrest by escaping into side streets where they set fire to rubbish dumpsters. Meanwhile, a group calling itself «Revolutionary Attack Squads» claimed responsibility for firebombing 14 vehicles of a private security firm earlier this week. The group said they were acting in support of bank robbers Yiannis Dimitrakis and Giorgos Voutsis. NEW YEAR’S EVE City center concert details revealed Popular Greek singer Philippos Pliatsikas will be the headline act of the New Year’s Eve concert that will be held in Kotzia Square, central Athens, from 10.30 p.m. on Monday, the City of Athens said yesterday. Pliatsikas, the founding member of the band Pyx Lax, will be accompanied on stage by the Municipal Symphony Orchestra. Greek pop bands Onar and Ble will also appear. There will be a fireworks display in Kotzia Square and on Lycabettus Hill at the stroke of midnight. More details are available on www.christmasinathens.gr or by calling 195. EKAB fined A Patras court fined the National First Aid Center (EKAB) yesterday 500,000 euros for failing to provide proper care to the victim of a car accident because one of its ambulances did not have on board the proper medical equipment. The incident took place nine years ago on the Patras-Corinth national highway when the driver of a car died from heavy bleeding after his vehicle was involved in a collision. The court also ruled against EKAB as the ambulance that reached the accident site was not carrying a doctor. Funny money Five people have been arrested in Thessaloniki and Veria, northern Greece, on suspicion of circulating some 6,000 euros in forged notes, police said yesterday. Three of the suspects were arrested in the Kalamaria district of Thessaloniki after police stopped a luxury car. They found 29 forged 100-euro notes inside. The two men caught in Veria had allegedly used forged notes in local stores. Officers found 35 fake 100-euro notes in their possession. Armed raid An armed robber wearing a ski mask held up the post office in the village of Diakopto, near Patras, yesterday and made off with an unspecified amount of cash with the help of an accomplice who was waiting nearby in a car. Police are searching for the pair, last seen driving in the direction of the old Athens-Patras national road. Nobody was injured in the raid. Case cracked Police said yesterday that they are looking for a 26-year-old Georgian national in connection to the murder of a 77-year-old woman at her home in Pangrati, eastern Athens, almost three years ago. Olga Vlavenidou was found strangled on January 18, 2005, and officers said that they have now discovered fingerprints linking the 26-year-old with the attack. Police did not give any further details. Children mugged A 26-year-old man has been arrested accused of stealing pocket money and mobile phones from schoolchildren, police said yesterday. The suspect is believed to have threatened students in Kallithea, southern Athens, with a knife on seven occasions since August.

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