In Brief
GYPSY KILLING
Policeman to lose job over ‘accidental’ Zefyri shooting A policeman charged with the murder of a Gypsy in Athens a year ago, will be dismissed from the force, according to a decision by the police disciplinary committee made public yesterday. Giorgos Tyllianakis faces trial on murder charges following a July decision by an Athens prosecutor. He claimed his gun went off accidentally to kill street vendor Marinos Christopoulos on October 24, 2001, after the Gypsy failed to stop his car at a roadblock in Zefyri, north-western Athens. The killing sparked riots among the local Gypsy community. VENIZELOS TO SUE Culture minister seeking 2.05 mln from Skai radio for tram criticism Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will sue Skai Radio station for 2.05 million euros for repeatedly broadcasting messages critical of the government’s handling of the Athens tram project and insulting him personally, he said yesterday. Venizelos also accused opposition New Democracy of «irresponsible» behavior for attacking his handling of the project. The sum sought by Venizelos is equal to the official bill for changes to the tram route decided by the Culture Ministry – money which the ministry alleges would have been spent to construct a section of the tram which has now been scrapped. OLYMPIC VILLAGE Landowners want 73.3 mln from State Around 200 former landowners whose property was expropriated to allow construction of the Olympic Village outside Athens, yesterday demanded that the State should pay them the 73.3 million euros they are owed according to a court ruling. Protesters staged a demonstration through the construction site, insisting on immediate payment of their money. The government has said it will introduce legislation to identify the estimated total of 2,750 landowners staking a claim to the 125 hectares and determine the amount of compensation they are each due. Brothel bribe A police officer from the Athens Aghios Panteleimon precinct was charged yesterday with extortion and bribery following his arrest by fellow officers in the act of collecting 2,100 euros in unmarked bills from a brothel owner. The officer’s name was not made public. Market traders Consumers will be obliged to buy their fruit and vegetables in supermarkets and greengrocers for at least another three days, following yesterday’s decision by street market traders to continue their week-long protest until Monday. Unionists are then due to convene for a nationwide assembly. Heroin haul Attica police were yesterday trying to trace members of a heroin-trafficking ring following the arrest, at the border crossing of Kakavia, of an Albanian national bound for Athens with 17.5 kilos of heroin. Sniffer dogs detected 33 packages of the drug concealed in a car bearing Greek registration plates being driven by Mahmouti Fandion. The 22-year-old Fandion supplied police with the details of his partners in Athens and Piraeus. Internet nudity Police were yesterday seeking a man believed to have assisted another suspect they arrested earlier this week for allegedly posting on the Internet doctored pictures of Greek actors, singers and journalists who appear to be nude. Police are seeking Petros Mayiopoulos in Igoumenitsa following the arrest of Anastassios Austratios, 34, in the northwestern port on Monday. Valet parking Business travelers will now be able to leave their cars at Athens international airport and find them waiting for them on their return to the city following the introduction of a valet parking service, the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport announced yesterday. The 24-hour «Executive Valet Parking Service» will park a car and return it to the same spot outside the departures hall for a fee of 20 euros plus 10 euros a day in parking charges, the airport said. Soccer Cyprus’s Anorthosis Famagusta defeated Iraklis 3-1 last night to advance to the second round of the UEFA Cup. PAOK Thessaloniki also advanced, after beating Portugal’s Leixoes 4-1. But Xanthi was knocked out by Italy’s Lazio, after the two teams drew 0-0.
