Most say they are worse off
Three out of five Greeks (60%) say that the quality of life is worse now than a year ago before restrictions were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by Focus Bari. The findings, examining the impact of the lockdown, also showed that less than one in three (29%) believe that their daily life has not changed and 11 % said that their daily lives have actually improved. Overall, more men said their everyday life had changed for the worse compared to women, as did younger age groups compared to older people and residents of Athens/Thessaloniki in relation to other parts of the country. The main reasons cited by those who said they are worse off are the lack of change of environment (82%), the fact that they are constantly in pajamas, tracksuits and sportswear (42% of men and 52% of women), as well as the fact that they find it difficult to maintain a balanced daily schedule (37%). The survey took place on February 9 and 10, on a sample of 622 men and women aged between 16 and 64.
Dozens arrested. A total of 42 people were arrested yesterday after they conducted a symbolic occupation of the building of the Culture Ministry on Karytsi Square in central Athens in solidarity with jailed terrorist Dimitris Koufontinas and to support demands of ministry employees. They are all charged with violating coronavirus containment laws and for disturbing the peace. They were also fined 300 euros for non-compliance with epidemic measures. They were to appear before a public prosecutor.
Sentences upheld. An Athens appeals court yesterday unanimously upheld a decision by the Court of First Instance in 2019 to hand life sentences to three Albanian nationals for the murder of criminal lawyer Michalis Zafeiropoulos, who was gunned down in Athens in 2017. The court had given a life sentence to Ibrahim Brahimai, who shot the lawyer, plus an additional 11 years. Claudian Lekotsai, the head of a criminal gang believed to have operated in Attica’s high-security Korydallos Prison, and Olti Dulce also received life sentences after being found guilty as moral instigators of the murder.