The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-13

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Behind the Syntagma Attack Epanastatikos Agonas?

By Tina Valaoura

Yesterday's bomb attack at Syntagma Square has bedevilled the Police. The anti-terrorist branch of the Attica Police Department is still running lab tests on the remains of the explosive device. However the findings are limited and the kind of explosive material used has not been identified yet. No group has claimed responsibility so far, although the Police think it could be the work of terrorist group "Epanastatikos Agonas." The Police General Directorate has ordered a sworn administrative inquiry regarding the police officer, who received the call from Eleftherotypia newspaper on the bomb at Syntagma.

In-Depth Investigation

After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the police officer had not properly filled in the relevant forms and as a result the officers who blocked off the area did not give proper instructions.

At the same time, the Police are troubled whether the perpetrators wanted to leave victims behind, since in the second telephone call, the unknown man referred to the Economy Ministry on Filelinnon street, while the explosion occurred earlier than he had said, ie in 33 minutes and not 40.

Asked whether the Government still thinks the Police reacted on time or has changed its mind, based on new evidence that dictated a sworn administrative inquiry, Deputy Government spokesperson Evangelos Antonaros said, "As part of the investigation after such occurrences, the Police run an investigation and then issued a relevant announcement." "The Police acted based on rules and regulations and arrived at the blast area on time. It should be noted that the area, where the blast occurred, is a much-frequented area with dangerous constructions, and thus constitutes a hazardous environment," he underlined.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Despite Reactions and Appeals for Pardon "Tookie" Executed

By Athina Saloustrou

Despite intense reactions from thousands of protestors, Californian authorities executed with a lethal injection this morning at 09:36 (CET) death row inmate Stanley "Tookie" Williams, ex-gang member of the Crips, at San Quentin prison, San Francisco. Reporter Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times, who watched the execution, said Stanley "Tookie" Williams was very calm and "raised his head several times," before the drugs kicked in and he breathed his last, 20 minutes after he was given the shot. After the news on his execution was released, the thousands of protestors outside San Quentin prison burst into cries and outrage. "It's over, but it is not over yet," said Reverend Jesse Jackson, who struggles for human rights.

Co-founder of one of the most notorious gangs, the Crips, "Tookie" had received the capital punishment in 1981 for the murder of four people in 1979, although he supported his innocence until the very end. In prison, "Tookie" had written children's books denouncing violence and was one of the pioneers in the fight against gangs. In fact, he was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency after "studying the evidence, searching the history, listening to the arguments and wrestling with the profound consequences".

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Stanley Tookie Williams executed

Reuters: Calif. killer turned peacemaker Williams executed

BBC: US ex-gang boss Williams executed

Los Angeles Times: Tookie Williams Is Executed

[03] New Call Over Extra-Judicial Network Giosakis to Testify Again

By Tina Valaoura

Appeals judges called former Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis to testify again on the extra-judicial network. Giosakis' name was among the first that surfaced in the chain revelations, which led to the investigation of the scandal last January.

Mr Giosakis is faced with charges of money laundering, bribery, accessory to breach of duty, association to commit fraud in Greece and abroad and attempted fraud.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Theophilus in Athens

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - ANA

On Tuesday, Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem held his first visit in Athens after his election and enthronement. Theophilus met with Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis, with whom he discussed the Patriarchate's economic problems, underlining his aim to reorganize the Patriarchate's services. As per information, the Foreign Ministry proposed Theophilus to institute in Athens a consultative body that would guarantee transparency and contribute to utilising the Patriarchate's assets. Both the Deputy Foreign Minister and Parliament Speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki underlined Greece supports the Patriarchate.

"Primary Concern is Aid the Patriarchate"

"The new Patriarch is setting new foundations to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which along with the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre have been tormented and bedevilled over the last months," noted the Deputy Foreign Minister and stressed, "The Primary concern of the Greek state is to help the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which is a landmark of Hellenism and Orthodoxy at a rather sensitive area. And we will render this concern into actions."

Visiting the Speaker of Parliament, Theophilus stated, "Our visit here constitutes another declaration of the responsibility, which he have undertaken as a Nation, as a respectable Roman nation towards the people, history and God, who assigned us with the task of safeguarding and preserving this great spiritual and national legacy."

The Speaker of Parliament welcomed the Patriarch of Jerusalem and voiced her love, support and honour to the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and the entire Patriarchate. "We support you in your fights and I believe your efforts will pay off with the help of all and primarily God," noted Mrs Psarouda Benaki.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Trial of 17N Continues On the Motion Filed

By Athina Saloustrou

Dimitris Koufodinas made an intervention on the recent statements over uncaught17N members at the Five-Member Felony Appeal Court. Seconds after the first "good morning" uttered by President of the bench Mr Dionisis Vertelis, Koufodinas arose and stated that an atmosphere of terror and hysteria is being created, whilst new indictments are being announced. The trial continued with the statements of the defence on the motion over the incompetence of the court submitted by Koufodinas attorney, Gianna Kourtovic and supported by all defendants, apart from Pavlos Serifis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] 57% of Greeks Aged 50 to 59 Retirement the Soonest Possible

By Athina Saloustrou

57% of Greeks aged 50 to 59 wish to retire "the soonest possible," as do 67% of the Spaniards and 60% of Italian counterparts, as per a SHARE 2004 research conducted in 10 countries. As per the findings of the Research Institute of Mannheim University in 10 countries, "the percentage of persons wanting to retire the soonest possible is increasing mainly in southern Europe, as well as in the north, with the exception of Switzerland." "67% of Spaniards aged 50 to 59 want to retire as soon as possible, as do the 60% of Italians, 57% French, 57% Greeks and 54% Austrians," concluded the research. On the other hand, in the Netherlands, the percentage of 50-year-olds who want to retire is 31%, Germany and Sweden 43% and Denmark 45%.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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