Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-09-05

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Most wanted fugitive, top 'N17' suspect Koufodinas, surrenders

[02] PM Simitis to inaugurate new wing of modern art museum

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud, rain on Friday

[05] Authorities confirm Koufodinas in police custody

[01] Most wanted fugitive, top 'N17' suspect Koufodinas, surrenders

The most prominent suspect evading capture in the more than two-month-long investigation to eradicate the ?November 17? terrorist group surrendered to police early Thursday afternoon, apparently ending the largest manhunt in modern Greek history.

Public order ministry officials confirmed that Dimitris Koufodinas turned himself in just after 3:30 p.m. (local time).

The 44-year-old beekeeper and self-described math tutor faces 70 felony and misdemeanor counts, practically all stemming from pre-trial testimony provided by more than a dozen ?N17? suspects arrested and charged since late June.

He was wanted since July 4 after being identified as the individual who had leased an east Athens ?safehouse? used by ?N17? to store weapons, documents and cash.

On Thursday, he reportedly phoned the attorney of his long-time companion and said he was surrendering.

Koufodinas turned himself in at the main police headquarters off Alexandras Avenue in central Athens, where 15 ?N17? suspects were held during their first weeks of incarceration.

[02] PM Simitis to inaugurate new wing of modern art museum

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Saturday will inaugurate a new wing of the Macedonian Museum of Modern Art in Thessaloniki. It covers an area of 2,450 sq.m.

With the addition of the new wing, the museum, which was founded in 1979, will cover a total area of 4,000 sq.m.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.005

Pound sterling 0.640

Danish kroner 7.486

Swedish kroner 9.369

Japanese yen 118.2

Swiss franc 1.469

Norwegian kroner 7.440

Cyprus pound 0.577

Canadian dollar 1.581

Australian dollar 1.846

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud, rain on Friday

Scattered cloud is forecast in all parts of the country, with showers or isolated storms, especially from late afternoon. Winds variable, light to moderate. On the mainland, temperatures will range from 15C to 29C; and in the islands also from 20C to 28C. Temperatures in Athens between 19C and 29C; and in Thessaloniki from 19C to 28C.

[05] Authorities confirm Koufodinas in police custody

Authorities have confirmed that Dimitris Koufodinas, charged as a top ?November 17? terrorist group member, is in police custody after surrendering hours earlier on Thursday.

According to reports, the 42-year-old fugitive gave himself up after several days of negotiations, via a third party, with officers of teh anti-terrorism squad.

Initial reports state that Koufodinas has denied his participation in the deadly terrorist group.

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