Suspected members of Greece's oldest urban guerrilla group are being freed before the Olympic Games after a court ruled Wednesday their trial would be suspended for most of August.
| That's nice, I hear there are tickets available. |
| Seat pricing based on proximity to the events. Sniper range, 100 Euros, bomb range, 50 - 400 Euros (depending, of course), knifing range, 500 Euros. Package rates available. |
The five are accused of belonging to the left-wing Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) which is blamed for murders, bombings and other attacks from the 1970s to 1990s. They were arrested in early 2003, but under Greek laws suspects cannot be held for more than 18 months pending a verdict. Greek authorities had hoped the trial would be over by the Aug. 13 to 29 Games -- to avoid the possibility of any attack by supporters during the event. But the Criminal Court ruled Wednesday that the hearing would break from Aug 6. to Sept 1. The suspension means they will be free to walk the streets of Athens during the Games.
| You know, if I had a suspious mind, I'd think that maybe a deal was made to let them out to avoid a attack. But they wouldn't do anything like that.... |
| Can you say, "plausible deniability"? |
Two of the defendants will be released Monday after paying 6,000 euros ($7,200) bail, two are already free due to health and other legal reasons. The fifth has not yet opted to leave custody.
| Maybe he's worried he might run into some of his "friends" on the outside. |
They have been on trial since February this year on charges of "setting up and participating in a terrorist group."
The Greek government rushed to assure the world that their release was not a threat to the security of the Games. "They are released within the framework of Greek laws and the safeguarding of human rights. In no case will this issue affect the Olympics and the security of the Games," a government official told Reuters.
Greece is spending a record 1.0 billion euros on security for the Games, three times the amount spent on the Sydney Olympics in 2000. ELA has claimed responsibility for two murders and dozens of attempted murders and bomb attacks on Greek as well as U.S., German, French and European Union targets since 1975.
| But these guys are not any danger. |
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