Greek 'bombing group' trial halted

Fifteen people stand charged in connection with spate of attacks by the group Conspiracy of Fire Cells.



The trial of 13 people suspected of being part of a Greek anarchist group accused of a series of bombings has been adjourned soon after it got under way at a prison in Athens.
Nine of the accused appeared in the court, held in the Korydallos prison on Monday, but proceedings were adjourned for one week following a string of demands from the defendants.
Four other defendants remain on the run and will be tried in absentia.
The proceedings were halted several times before the adjournment as the defendants objected to identity checks on people attending the court, some of whom were their friends or family members.
They also demanded that their handcuffs be removed during the court process and that the hearing be recorded.
Maria Mariellou, the presiding judge, who at times appeared overwhelmed in her efforts to maintain order, initially approved the request but later said there were no facilities available at present for audio recording, prompting an angry reaction from the defendants and their supporters.Full Story