In Brief
Siemens investigation
Prosecutor probing kickbacks calls for bank account freeze Prosecutor Nikos Zagorianos, who is investigating the alleged payment of kickbacks by the Greek branch of electronics giant Siemens to politicians and public officials, yesterday ordered that the bank accounts of 34 suspects be frozen. The prosecutor also took measures to freeze the title deeds and share portfolios of the former employees of Siemens and OTE, businessmen and financiers that are facing trial. Sources said that Zagorianos is likely to take similar action against other suspects in the next few days, as he begins to invite them to testify. Saudis targeted Arsonists torch embassy car A parked car belonging to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the affluent Athens district of Neo Psychico was damaged in an arson attack early yesterday morning that caused no injuries. There was no claim of responsibility for the attack that was carried out using a homemade explosive device. Last April two cars belonging to the Saudi Arabian Embassy were torched in Athens in attacks subsequently claimed by a group calling itself «Subversive Cell.» ISAP disruption Services on the Athens-Piraeus electric railway (ISAP) will be suspended today between 10 a.m. and noon as staff stage a walkout in solidarity with Constantina Kuneva, a trade unionist representing Athens cleaners who was badly injured in an acid attack last month. Work on ISAP will mean the Petralona, Thiseion and Monastiraki stations will remain closed tomorrow and Sunday. Commuters will be able to use a bus replacement service. Station blaze The lignite-fired electricity plant at Kardia, near the northern city of Kozani, was operating normally yesterday after firemen extinguished a blaze that had broken out in an underground boiler at the plant. The fire is believed to have been triggered by the self-combustion of lignite dust. No injuries were reported. Costly debt A 34-year-old Albanian alleged to have made countless threats against an Athens businessman to whom he had issued a loan was yesterday in police detention. According to police, the suspect had sought 140,000 euros from the businessman to whom he had lent 30,000 euros in May 2007. The businessman, who said he had already paid 15,000 euros in interest, found the brakes to his car cut one day and his store torched another day. He pledged to pay an additional 80,000 euros to the Albanian, who was arrested when he turned up for the handover. Ferries moored Passenger ferries remained moored at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrion yesterday as winds reach gale-force intensity in many parts. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate further over the next few days, with winds set to reach up to 10 Beaufort in the eastern Aegean and thunderstorms likely in western Greece and much of the Aegean.
