Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Migration Commissioner, Greek mayors discuss how to decongest Aegean islands of refugees

[02] National Archaeological Museum modern sculpture tribute continues with Achilles Vasileiou's 'First Victory'

[03] Authorities to charge Sorras with hate crimes for statements about Paralympic athletes

[01] Migration Commissioner, Greek mayors discuss how to decongest Aegean islands of refugees

The mayors of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros said the meeting was constructive and noted the need to quickly decongest the islands ahead of the tourism season, especially of the more vulnerable groups and the delinquent elements that create insecurity among island inhabitants. They also requested a social and economic growth programme to offset the damages the islands have suffered due to the migration flows.

Avramopoulos noted that the recent harsh weather highlighted some shortcomings and asked the UN High Commission for Refugees to immediately install the winterised accommodation that has already been financed by the European Commission.

He also asked for coordinators on the islands to take up their duties "without delay" and work with local authorities, while discussing all possible initiatives for supporting the islands, including financial support measures, with the Greek government.

Handling the migration crisis was a European and national challenge that superseded party differences, Avramopoulos said, noting that the EU-Turkey Statement on migration must be observed and accelerated. He also invited the five mayors to visit Brussels next month.

[02] National Archaeological Museum modern sculpture tribute continues with Achilles Vasileiou's 'First Victory'

Vasileiou will be present at the launch, while he has also selected an ancient sculpture for the museum's permanent collection that he considers conducts a dialogue with his own work. The ancient sculpture will be presented by a museum archaeologist during the exhibition.

"First Victory" will remain on show in the museum's atrium until February 2017, while entry is free of charge.

The tribute began in the summer of 2016, in collaboration with the Sculptors' Association of Greece, and features a representative work by a modern Greek sculptor every two months.

[03] Authorities to charge Sorras with hate crimes for statements about Paralympic athletes

A first-instance court prosecutor will charge Sorras with multiple counts of inciting hatred through racist speech for comments and interviews regarding the athletes taking part in the Paralympic Games that have appeared on the internet. They include an interview given by Artemis Sorras on September 8 on a website where, among others, he said it was an "insult" to see "cripples conducting Paralympics" and a Facebook post about the interview on the following day, in which he insisted that he will not take back "one word" of what he said about the athletes and repeated that the Paralympics "that the beasts imposed on our planet" are "a huge insult and sacrilege for all Greeks."

The case is to be tried before a misdemeanours court with a direct summons to be sent to the accused.

Sorras, who is the founder of a political grouping called "Assembly of the Greeks,' is currently also under investigation for encouraging citizens not to pay their debts to the tax office and social insurance funds.

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