Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Policeman shot dead

[02] New aircraft for OA

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Policeman shot dead

The gunmen riddled the police officer with bullets at 6:20 a.m. as he was in his car guarding the witness, in the Athens district of Ano Patissia.

Later reports said that at least two weapons were used in the attack, one of which was an automatic. Police said that the 23 cartridges collected are all of a 9mm diameter, and were being examined to see if the same weapon has been used in other recent terrorist attacks

The victim has been identified as police sergeant Nektarios Savvas, married and the father of a young girl, who was serving in the counter-terrorism unit's operations division.

The witness is guarded on a 24-hour basis, and Savvas had gone on duty at 6:00 a.m., taking over from the two colleagues who carried out the night shift, outside the home of the woman, who testified as a material witness at the ELA trial three days earlier.

The officer had gotten a cup of coffee and took his place in the driver's seat of his car when, according to eyewitnesses, four hooded gunmen approached the car and fired more than 20 shots, fatally injuring him in the chest and head.

The gunmen quickly fled on two motorcycles.

A short while later, police cordoned off the area.

Local residents said that they knew who the woman was, and saw the police guarding her, while they also said that she frequently circulated alone.

Medical examiner Filippos Koutsaftis said the officer suffered multiple shots on his left side, including in the head, from very close range, as well as in the back, indicating that more than one weapon was used in the deadly attack.

He said the victim died instantly, and apparently the incident took place very quickly and the officer was unable to react, as his service revolver was still in his belt.

Koutsaftis declined further comment, saying he would have more to say after the post-mortem was conducted.

Counter-terrorism police and crime scene investigators were combing the scene.

Caption: Counter terrorism police officers collecting evidence from the crime scene in Athens on Wednesday 17 June 2009. ANA-MPA/SYMELA PANTZARTZI

[02] New aircraft for OA

According to the MIG announcement:

Marfin Investment Group (MIG) hereby announces its subsidiary, has signed a firm order for eight Q400 aircraft, including five Q400 NextGen airliners, and has taken options on an additional eight Q400 NextGen airliners.

The value of the firm order contract is approximately $224 million US and could increase to $468 million US if the eight options are exercised.

The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft will be operated under the Olympic Air brand name. The aircraft will be added to Olympic Air's fleet in the following months as their delivery is expected to commence in July. It is hereby reminded that the new airline, Olympic Air, will assume Olympic Airlines' flight operations from 1st October 2009.

"Our plan to build Olympic Air is executed consistently and intensely. Our aim from 1st October onwards is to present to our passengers a modern fleet, comprised of state-of-the-art aircraft, and a new airline offering high quality services", said MIG's President, Andreas Vgenopoulos.

"The Q400 airliners are an important part of Olympic's fleet replacement program intended to introduce state-of-the-art air transport technology in Greece's regions," said Antonis Simigdalas, Chief Executive Officer, Olympic Air. "The Q400 aircraft has gained an enviable reputation for its passenger comfort, speed, fuel economy, reduced environmental footprint and advanced technology. The Q400 NextGen aircraft's new interior offers passengers even greater comfort and we believe that it will introduce a new level of service in Greek regional networks."

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Olympic Airlines aircraft parked at the International Athens airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos'.

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The latest wildfires in Attica, illegal migration and the reduction of the required military conscription term to nine months, dominated the headlines on Wednesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The reduction of the military term to 9 months is a fact".

APOGEVMATINI: "Reforms in college entry exams".

AVGHI: "The 'social' Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA parliamentary alliance) calls for cooperation".

AVRIANI: "Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis sending the 'rebels' into exile and preparing for general elections in September".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Piraeus port an illegal migrants' ghetto".

ELEFTHEROS: "Attica Security Police keeps files on police officers but not on the anti-establishmentarians".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Government did not learn its lesson from the wildfires that ravaged Greece in 2007".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "ND MP Yannis Manolis playing hide and seek with Karamanlis".

ESTIA: "Manolis' stance is deplorable".

ETHNOS: "The latest reports on university entry exams' base passing grades".

KATHIMERINI: "National Bank of Greece suddenly decides share capital increase".

NIKI: "Government playing underhanded games with National Bank - They're sending the 'pillar' of the Greek economy into the profiteers' arms".

RIZOSPASTIS: "EU Council of Foreign Affairs - New imperialistic cries and anti-communist campaign".

TA NEA: "Manolis foresees new defeat (in general elections) and plans departure from ND - Flirting with......Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS).

TO VIMA: "Topples....not topples..topples...- Two ruling New Democracy MPs keeping Karamanlis hostage".

VRADYNI: " Tourism sector resisting the crisis - The Cassandras (doom-sayers) that forecast record high drop in tourists arrivals are being belied".

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