Crete News - February 2006 page 2

First Alzheimer’s group in Crete

On Sunday 12th Feb 2006 there was a gathering in Heraklion of the charity Allilengee, the first charity in Crete aimed at addressing the needs of sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease and their Carers.

The group held a public showing of the British-made film Iris, based on the life of Iris Murdoch and her husband John Bayley. The aim of the charity is to inform, to prevent and to care. At this time they have put into operation a family support group, and in the longer term will open a café for the use of sufferers, friends and relatives. They are seeking a space to offer day care, along with therapies that have been shown to alleviate symptoms. Allilengee is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Those wishing to offer support, or to receive further information, can call 2810-379379.

The Valentine’s Escape

Two men, one of Turkish origin, the other a Roma, made a dash for freedom from Chania Prison in mid-February. After hitch-hiking a lift in a lorry to Heraklio, the Turk soon had second thoughts, having three years left to serve, and handed himself in to the Heraklion jail. He stated that the Gypsy refused to give himself up because he wished to spend St. Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend! The Gypsy, still looking at a long stretch inside, has not yet been found.

Pensioner tackles thief in Heraklion

A gang of thieves that were targeting psilikatsirika (convenience stores) and periptera (kiosks) picked on the wrong man in Knossou, Heraklion, early on the 4th of February.

The elderly proprietor, Mr. Nikos Kokonis, on his 70th birthday, put the thieves to flight and called the police. The thieves were carrying out robberies using fake pistols, but this didn’t deter Mr. Kokonis. According to his wife, Mr. Kokonis was frightened, but, even more, was angry, when he was met at his door by men holding firearms. He began shouting, surprising the robbers who turned and fled down the street, pursued by the outraged, stick-wielding shop-owner.
His actions led to the arrests of three men, of Greek origin. It is reported that they are heroin users.

Heavy sentence for child sexual abuse in Chania

A 48 year old man from Chania has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the repeated rape of an 11 year old girl over a period of 3 months. The story emerged in October 2004 when the girl broke her silence, revealing the abuse to her mother and to the police.

The man was a cleaner working for the local authority, and is the father of four children. He denied the charges of sexual abuse. According to a deposition of the girl’s family, the man took the opportunity of the mother’s absence, and the fact that he was a friend of the mother, to visit the house and abuse the child. Now 13 years of age, the girl is trying to overcome her trauma, staying in the monastery of Kaliviani, although she was obliged to relive the attacks recently, as she gave her evidence in court.

Squatters Cultural Centre in Heraklion; future in doubt

Squatters who have been occupying a central Heraklion building since the early 1990’s have been told they must leave.

Called the ‘Group of Roza Nera’, the current occupiers are not keen to go. However, with a report that the building has suffered structural damage during the recent earthquake, this may be their final year.

The Dean of the Technical College, the body which owns the site, stated that he wished to see the building restored for use as an arts centre and that the College will want to evict the squatters.

The large and handsome building, not far from Agios Titos, has had a long history. Once the administration offices of Prince George, during the Dictatorship it passed to military use, before eventually falling into disrepair. Squatting in the premesis began with the aims of allowing freedom of expression, open participation and a step toward self sufficiency.

Squatters have organized events; film shows, musical nights with ‘rebetikes’, Cretan music and exhibitions, as well as hosting discussions and seminars, and have become part of Heraklio’s ‘alternative’ scene.

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