Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-11 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Greek foreign minister, delegation depart for start of Cyprus meeting in Geneva [02] Media executives arrested for libel given three days to prepare defence [03] Memorial service held for murdered Greek ambassador in Rio --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Greek foreign minister, delegation depart for start of Cyprus meeting in Geneva Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and a Greek delegation on Wednesday departed for Geneva, in order to take part in an international meeting on the Cyprus issue that begins at the UN headquarters in Switzerland on Thursday. [02] Media executives arrested for libel given three days to prepare defence Two media group executives who were arrested on Tuesday after a lawsuit filed against them by ANEL leader Panos Kammenos were charged for libel at a misdemeanors court in Athens on Wednesday and granted three days to prepare their defence. They will appear again before the court on January 13. In his lawsuit, Kammenos accuses "Parapolitika" group publisher Ioannis Kourtakis and the newspaper's director Panagiotis Tzenos of libel and attempted extortion. The court accepted the first accusation but prosecutor Areti Skafida was assigned to ascertain if there is sufficient evidence to support the second and more serious accusation, which is a felony under Greek law. Kammenos, who is also Defence Minister, claims the two journalists are attacking him through their news outlets using his underage child, to force him to withdraw his accusations on funds he alleges they received from the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO). "It is a black day for journalism and freedom of the press, with practices reminiscent of [Turkish President] Erdogan, as a publisher and an editor are in court accused for libel," said Tzennos as he left the courtroom. "The minister mobilized a team of 25 police officers. Why was he (holidaying) in the Alps before New Years' when the people are being tested by his own austerity policies? We have faith in Justice. It is a junta, but it will pass," he added. Exiting the courtroom, the second accused, Kourtakis told the press: "When I was securing the [newspaper] title 'Freedom of the Press' I did not believe the Tsipras-Kammenos regime would arrest a publisher and a director at their work. The 'Freedom of the Press' will be released as the daily. It is a junta, but it will pass." [03] Memorial service held for murdered Greek ambassador in Rio A memorial service was held in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday for Greece's former Ambassador to Brazil, Kyriakos Amiridis, who was murdered last Dacember while on leave for the Christmas holidays. Amiridis' body was found in a burned-out car abandoned under a bridge in the Nova Iguaçu neighbourhood where the ambassador went missing. Police in Brazil have questioned his wife, a military police officer and his cousin for the crime. The service was attended by representatives of the Greek government, consular authorities, Brazilian officials and the Metropolitan of Buenos Aires and the Exarch of South America, Tarasios. A separate service will be held at the Cathedral of Brazilia on Thursday. The ambassador's body is expected to be transferred to Greece soon, so that the funeral can be held in Thessaloniki on Friday, following the family's wishes. The Greek foreign ministry will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Amanatidis.