Urban decay

Police detains more than 90 people in Exarchia squat sweep

Police in Athens arrested three people and detained more than 90 in a large operation to evict squatters in two buildings in the central district of Exarchia early Thursday morning. 
The raid on Tzavella street followed a similar operation in a house on Solomou street where three people were detained for possession of cannabis.

Under pressure from creditors, Greek gov't restricts borrower protection

Just two days after submitting legislation to Parliament outlining a new framework for the protection of overindebted borrowers from foreclosures, the government on Thursday submitted an amendment watering down that protection after coming under pressure from the country's international creditors. 

Drug racket unraveled in Athens

Another drug racket operating in central Athens was unraveled by police Thursday.

Four foreign nationals - three Albanians and a Tunisian - aged between 27 and 63, were arrested in the neighborhood of Aghios Panteleimonas on charges of running a criminal gang and drug dealing.

Police said the gang was also active in the neighborhoods of Amerikis Square and Victoria.

Greece limits foreclosure protection after financial crisis

Lawmakers in Greece have begun debating tougher regulations to deal with household insolvency after the financial crisis left nearly half of mortgages and commercial loans non-performing or in distress.
The debate started Wednesday at a parliamentary committee despite failure by the government so far to finalize an agreement with bailout creditors on details of the new regulations.

Tzanakopoulos says foreclosure protection bill satisfies creditors

Following strong disagreements with creditors over the level of protection from foreclosure of debtors' primary residence, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos outlined the elements of the bill finally tabled by the government in Parliament on 26 March.

He said the draft legislation will come to a vote within the week.

Pages