MP loses immunity vote

Parliament yesterday rejected a request from Golden Dawn MP Ilias Kasidiaris for the immunity of fellow lawmakers Liana Kanelli and Rena Dourou to be lifted. Of 300 MPs, 182 voted against the two deputies facing prosecution after Kasidiaris sued them in relation to an incident last summer during a live TV discussion that culminated in the Golden Dawn lawmaker throwing water at Dourou and slapping Kanelli. The incident occurred on June 7 last year shortly before the national elections.

Snow compensation.

Nea Odos, the company that manages the stretch of national highway between Athens and Lamia, has been ordered to pay 1,200 euros in compensation to a couple that were stranded on the road during a snowstorm in March 2011. The justice of the peace court found that the company had not done enough to prevent drivers and passengers from being trapped in their vehicles for five hours in the snowfall. Nea Odos said it could not clear the road of snow because the traffic police failed to stop trucks and buses from traveling on that particular day. The court, however, ordered the company to pay the couple 600 euros each.

Flooding.

The fire service was called to more than 80 homes and businesses in northern Athens yesterday after sudden heavy showers caused substantial flooding. There were no reports of any injuries resulting from the heavy rain yesterday afternoon, which lasted for about an hour.

Mosquito warning.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) issued tips yesterday on how people should protect themselves from mosquitos as it warned of the spread of malaria and the West Nile virus. KEELPNO reported 11 cases of malaria last year compared to more than 40 in 2011. More than 160 cases of West Nile virus were recorded last year. Information is available at the center’s website www.keelpno.gr.

Airport arrests.

A 41-year-old Romanian woman was arrested late on Tuesday at Kos airport on suspicion of helping a young migrant from Afghanistan leave the country. The woman was arrested after pretending to be the boy’s mother. The minor was set to travel to Belgium with her using a fake passport. The child, aged 13, was taken into care by the police at Kos airport, while the 41-year-old was due to face a magistrate yesterday.

TO OUR READERS.

Kathimerini English Edition and the International Herald Tribune will not be available tomorrow due to a strike by the ESIEA journalists’ union.