Witnesses Change Testimony In Fanieros Case

Authorities involved in the trial of alleged organised crime boss Antonis Fanieros suspect witness intimidation as one witness after the other changes their testimony in a case that has more than 20 charges, including blackmail and threats of violence.

The prosecution is expected to ask the court to continue normally and call for the witnesses who changed their testimony to testify under oath, said a report by SigmaLive.com. Otherwise, the witnesses in question could be declared as hostile and be prosecuted at a later stage.

Fanieros was arrested in September and is a notorious figure who is deeply involved in the sports gambling scene. The 67-year-old was the target of a gangland hit in 1997 when he took a bullet to the neck in a drive-by shooting. His son Loukas was also the target of a hit in 1998 but escaped injury.

Authorities have also arrested a 44-year-old English-Cypriot man in connection with their investigation. Fanierous, who said he had health problems after his remand, was moved to hospital but the doctor who ordered him there is now also under investigation, said police. He has been held in custody since his arrest three months ago.

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