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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Greek basketball finals suspended after rivalry again turns ugly
ATHENS, Greece — Greece's government on Monday suspended the basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. Olympiacos won Sunday's game 91-83, leveling the best-of-five series at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed. The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country's sports minister. ' will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year's championship will be definitively canceled,' government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. 'There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency,' he added. The two clubs based in the Athens area have a long and often violent history of rivalry spanning basketball, soccer and other sports. The latest unrest comes despite recent government efforts to curb sports-related violence, including surveillance systems at stadiums and mandatory ticketing linked to state ID cards. Both Olympiacos and Panathinaikos competed in the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi last month, finishing third and fourth, respectively. Fenerbahce defeated Monaco in the championship game. Sunday's game at Peace and Friendship Stadium was marred by multiple incidents. Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos was escorted out at halftime following a heated exchange with referees. Head coach Ergin Ataman was ejected in the fourth quarter after receiving a second technical foul. Television footage of the game showed security guards from the two teams coming to blows as Giannakopoulos walked out in a heated atmosphere. In a statement, Panathinaikos called the officiating 'disgraceful' and biased against them. Olympiacos co-chairman Giorgos Angelopoulos fired back, accusing Giannakopoulos of abusive behavior. 'The guy is toxic — he is the definition of violence,' Angelopoulos said. 'He cannot continue to be present in Greek sports and act this way.' 'No apology will be accepted,' he added. 'Let Panathinaikos fans celebrate him as a tough guy. We don't want people like that.' Panathinaikos had won Game 1 of the series 80-68 on Friday at the OAKA Arena in northern Athens.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greek basketball finals suspended after rivalry again turns ugly
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's government on Monday suspended the basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. Olympiacos won Sunday's game 91-83, leveling the best-of-five series at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed. Advertisement The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country's sports minister. '(They) will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year's championship will be definitively canceled,' government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. 'There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency,' he added. The two clubs based in the Athens area have a long and often violent history of rivalry spanning basketball, soccer and other sports. The latest unrest comes despite recent government efforts to curb sports-related violence, including surveillance systems at stadiums and mandatory ticketing linked to state ID cards. Advertisement Both Olympiacos and Panathinaikos competed in the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi last month, finishing third and fourth, respectively. Fenerbahce defeated Monaco in the championship game. Sunday's game at Peace and Friendship Stadium was marred by multiple incidents. Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos was escorted out at halftime following a heated exchange with referees. Head coach Ergin Ataman was ejected in the fourth quarter after receiving a second technical foul. Television footage of the game showed security guards from the two teams coming to blows as Giannakopoulos walked out in a heated atmosphere. In a statement, Panathinaikos called the officiating 'disgraceful' and biased against them. Olympiacos co-chairman Giorgos Angelopoulos fired back, accusing Giannakopoulos of abusive behavior. Advertisement 'The guy is toxic — he is the definition of violence,' Angelopoulos said. 'He cannot continue to be present in Greek sports and act this way.' 'No apology will be accepted,' he added. 'Let Panathinaikos fans celebrate him as a tough guy. We don't want people like that.' Panathinaikos had won Game 1 of the series 80-68 on Friday at the OAKA Arena in northern Athens.
Euronews
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Press freedom in Greece getting worse, Human Rights Watch says
A new report published by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has delivered a scathing assessment about the state of press freedom and the difficulties facing journalists in Greece. The report. "From Bad to Worse: The Deterioration of Media Freedom in Greece", is based on personal testimonies and documents "pervasive and deliberate restrictions on journalism in Greece" that create an environment in which "critical reporting is stifled and self-censorship becomes the norm". It also notes that "journalists face state surveillance, harassment and intimidation by pro-government actors and abusive lawsuits by politicians, which threaten democracy and the rule of law." The international NGO recommends that the European Union monitor the situation in Greece to ensure progress is made towards freedom of the press and that democratic values are upheld. This is the second negative report in as many days about Greece and the rule of law. A Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report published on 2 May has provoked a heated political debate in the country with the government fighting back. "The only truth about press freedom in all EU countries is reflected annually in the European Commission's Annual Rule of Law Report, which includes a special section on media and press freedom," government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said. Greece is facing a media freedom crisis "as a result of actions and omissions by the Greek government that threaten democracy and the rule of law," HRW said. Their research is based on interviews with 26 journalists working for various media outlets, along with academics, lawyers and media experts. HRW interviewed journalists working in print, electronic media, television and radio, for public, private and independent media, foreign correspondents and freelancers. Reports and other documents were also analysed and contacts were made with relevant bodies. Twenty-two journalists described an increasingly hostile work environment, while six reported specific cases of harassment by high-level government officials related to their reporting. "Few journalists were willing to report, fearing reprisals," the survey authors noted. One independent foreign correspondent said: "Now I am thinking of leaving the country. I really am. I just don't see the point in subjecting myself to this level of stress. Stories matter, but the level of violence seems to have gotten worse." A journalist with over 25 years of experience at a major Greek private television channel said: "What you say on TV is so controlled that you have no freedom. The control is done by those in high is controlled. What you say, how you say it." The colours used to describe the situation in Greece are dark: the media landscape in Greece is characterised by a high concentration of ownership, with a few powerful individuals controlling many agencies. Many of them have ties to the ruling party. The report documents the hostile environment for independent media and journalists since the New Democracy government took office in July 2019, including allegations of harassment, intimidation, surveillance and abusive lawsuits, which contribute to self-censorship and freeze media freedom. Human Rights Watch also found the use of state funds "to influence coverage and editorial influence in the public media, further exacerbating this climate," stressing that these conditions undermine freedom of expression and the public's right to information. There is specific reference to PredatorGate. "In 2022, the government faced strong suspicions that it used Predator spying software to target, among others, journalists, resulting in a major surveillance scandal," the report said. In the investigation, seven of the journalists said they had evidence or strong suspicions of government surveillance, either through more traditional means, such as wiretapping, or by targeting with commercial spy software. "This raises serious privacy and freedom of expression concerns and risks stalling reporting, as both sources and journalists fear for their safety," it noted. Among the anonymous testimonies is that of Stavros Malichoudis, a freelance journalist who discovered in 2021 that Greece's intelligence service was spying on him. "For many months I was in fear. In fear of meeting people, my sources, and exposing them. It took me a long time to disengage from what happened and start reporting again," he said. Human Rights Watch also found that the government exerted undue influence on state media, such as ERT and the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), undermining their independence. The government also used state advertising funds to favour pro-government media. Another major concern is using the legal system against journalists, notably through abusive lawsuits, often known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). "The vindictive defamation lawsuits filed by Grigoris Demetriades, nephew of the Greek prime minister and a former high-ranking government official, against journalists who reported on the wiretapping scandal are an example of this trend," the report said. Moreover, "while recent amendments decriminalised 'simple defamation' (spreading a fact, even if true, that may be offensive), the laws still create criminal liability for 'insult' and 'slander'," it adds. Human Rights Watch also found a pattern of attempts by the government and other authorities to undermine accountability. This includes invoking national security to prevent the disclosure of information related to the surveillance scandal, investigating whistleblowers, and an unwillingness to disclose details about the distribution of public advertising funds to the media. Human Rights Watch shared the findings of its investigation with the government and relevant authorities and media, and their responses are summarised in the report. "While the government has identified some initiatives aimed at improving media freedom, it is not clear whether these actions will lead to meaningful change. The government's overall response largely defends the status quo and downplays the seriousness of the problems Human Rights Watch documented," the watchdog said. The report also cites Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' rejection of the European Parliament's resolution, saying the country's rule of law is "stronger than ever" and that "Greece in recent years has often been the focus of slander" in response to criticism of his government's human rights record. "The Greek government's dismissive response to the European Parliament's legitimate criticism suggests that stronger action is needed from the European Commission," said Hugh Williamson, director for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch. "In particular, the Commission and the EU as a whole must monitor the situation closely and ensure that real progress is made on media freedom in Greece and that basic democratic values are respected," he concluded.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Greece to spend big on 'historic' military shake up
NATO member Greece is set to unveil a massive modernisation of its armed forces on Wednesday, following the lead of several of its European allies. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to present the timeline to parliament, headlined with an eye-catching new anti-aircraft defence set-up called "Achilles's Shield". The Mediterranean country already dedicates more than 3.0 percent of its GDP on defence -- owing to decades of tension with neighbouring Turkey. It now plans to invest approximately 26 billion euros ($28 billion) on new weapons systems by 2036, according to ministerial sources. The Greek government has called it "the most significant reform ever undertaken in the history of the Greek state in terms of national defence." "Our country is protecting itself, arming itself, and strengthening itself," government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said last week. Alongside Poland, Estonia and Latvia, Greece is one of the few NATO member states that allocates more than 3.0 percent of output to defence. And this year the nation of 10.5 million has doubled its military budget to 6.13 billion euros ($6.6 billion). "Historically, Greece has served and will continue to serve as an outpost for Europe, which is currently seeking to reorganise its defence in a difficult international setting," said Maria Gavouneli, a professor of international law at the University of Athens. - 'Achilles's Shield' - A key part of the shake-up is an upgrade to its anti-missile and anti-aircraft systems called "Achilles's Shield", according to a source familiar with the matter. Greek media reports suggest Athens is in negotiations with Israel to acquire the shield, which also includes enhancing anti-drone systems. France, Italy and Norway have been also cited as possible suppliers of the new weapons, which include unmanned vessels (USVs), drones and radars. Greece has sought to strengthen its position on the EU's Eastern Mediterranean border, close to the conflict zones of the Middle East. A dutiful buyer of European military equipment, especially from France and Germany, Greece has always justified its arms spending by pointing to territorial disputes and threats from historic rival Turkey. - 'Necessary' overhaul - "This reorganisation was necessary for Greece because during the economic crisis of the last decade and the freeze on public spending, the country fell behind in terms of modernising (its arsenal)," said Gavouneli, who is also the director general of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy think-tank. Greece has signed a military cooperation agreement with France, ordering 24 Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra-class defence and intervention frigates (FDI) for a total of more than 5.5 billion euros. A fourth frigate will be built in Greek shipyards, offering added value to strengthen the Greek defence industry. Athens has also signed a deal for the acquisition of 20 US-made F-35 fighter jets. Last November, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said Greece would order four different drone systems and overhaul its armed forces by merging military units. Athens must cope with a "different reality" and modernise its forces quickly to meet the challenges of the 21st century and those in its relationship with Ankara, Dendias said at the time. France, Germany, and Poland have lately announced plans to bolster their militaries at a time of faltering confidence in the US military umbrella. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stressed that the EU must significantly increase its arms spending in the face of the threat from Russia. hec/yap/fg/bc
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greece marks train crash anniversary with national stoppage
Greece is expected to come to a standstill Friday with sweeping strikes and protests to mark the second anniversary of the country's worst rail tragedy, that left 57 dead in 2023. Mounting public anger is putting pressure on the government, with demonstrations planned in hundreds of cities across Greece and abroad to demand justice for the victims. A mobilisation tantamount to a general strike has been called by unions, shutting down schools, public services, trains, ferries, and most flights. On February 28, 2023, a train from Athens to Thessaloniki carrying more than 350 passengers collided with a freight train near the central city of Larissa. The two trains had travelled towards each other on the same track for miles without triggering any alarms. The accident was blamed on faulty equipment and human error. Over 40 people have been prosecuted, including the local station master responsible for routing the trains. "Words are no longer enough," the association of families affected by the train crash said in a statement this month. "The time has come for action, for change, for a future in which no family will have to live through such pain again." According to the victims' families, protests and gatherings will be held in over 200 cities and towns in Greece and other European countries, as well as cities worldwide with large ethnic Greek populations, such as New York and Melbourne. - 'Historic proportions' - Leftist daily Efsyn said the mobilisation is of "historic proportions". In a rare move, justice officials will hold a moment of silence and a one-hour stoppage before midday (1000 GMT) Friday in memory of the victims. Several prominent artists are also joining the walkout, shutting down theatres and music clubs. The government has angrily rejected accusations by opposition parties that it is behind an "organised plan" to shield senior officials from responsibility. "Society is angry because society has been misled," government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said Monday. "One of the aims by a large part of the opposition is to lead to tension, to an explosion, through misinformation," he said. In January, tens of thousands protested in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major cities to demand justice for the victims. Opposition parties intend to call a vote of no confidence from next week, in addition to a parliamentary inquiry into whether officials were too quick to bulldoze the disaster site and, as a result, destroyed vital evidence after the collision. - 'Destabilisation' - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has dismissed calls to resign, has accused critics of attempts to "destabilise" the country and "sink political life into a quagmire". "In all my years in politics, I've never seen anything like this before," Mitsotakis told a business forum in Thessaloniki last week. A survey for Alpha TV this month suggested that 72 percent of respondents said the government had tried to cover up the case -- including more than 40 percent of the ruling party's own voters. More than two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents said they have little or no faith in the judicial investigation into the accident. Over three-quarters (81 percent) said the government has not done enough to make train travel safer since the accident. "Greek society's faith in justice has been shaken," the head of leftist opposition party Syriza, Sokratis Famellos, said last week, accusing the government of "an organised cover-up plan" that went right to the top. Mitsotakis has long been criticised for hastening to attribute the accident to human error just hours after the official investigation began. An experts' report funded by the victims' families has claimed the freight train was carrying an illegal and unreported load of explosive chemicals, which contributed to the high death toll. On Thursday, Greece's state aviation and railway safety investigation agency said there was a "possible presence" of an "unknown fuel" at the scene. The train's Italian-owned operator Hellenic Trail has denied knowledge of any illegal cargo. Τhe Athens prosecutors' office has summoned Hellenic Train's former CEO Maurizio Capotorto on suspicion of giving "false testimony" to a parliamentary investigative commission last year. There is also broad scepticism over the unexpected emergence of camera footage allegedly showing the freight train on the night of the accident. Under privacy laws, surveillance videos are supposed to be automatically deleted within two weeks of filming. jph/jvr/phz/fox
