Stavros Kontonis

A prosecutor's order calling for the case of six advisers to the country's privatization agency TAIPED to be reopened was seen on Wednesday as more or less expected, given that it is back in the hands of the same prosecutor, Andreas Karaflos.

Foreclosures on Greek properties will soon be carried out henceforth only electronically, according to a government plan aimed at curbing a spate of protests at courthouses that has led to the cancellation of numerous auctions.

In the latest war of words between the leftist government and the Greek judiciary, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told state broadcaster ERT on Monday that he did not understand why the opinion that judges should submit their declaration of assets electronically, like other civil servants, should be regarded as a political intervention.

The head of Greece's top constitutional court accused the government of intervention in justice, with the opposition calling for the resignation of minister Stavros Kontonis.

Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis indicated on Wednesday that electronic foreclosures will begin on November 29 as planned, following talks with Greek notaries who had announced earlier this month that they would boycott property auctions until the end of the year. 

The decision to grant a 48-hour furlough to convicted November 17 terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas was deplored on Thursday by US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt who said it dishonors the memory of the victims and their families.

Unbiased implementation of the law is what constitutes a state governed by law and order, Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis told lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday in response to criticism of a decision reached by the capital's Korydallos Prison council to grant 48-hour furlough to convicted November 17 terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas.

New Democracy lawmaker Nikitas Kaklamanis on Tuesday submitted a question to Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis and Alternate Minister for Citizens' Protection Nikos Toskas regarding the number of inmates released from custody under a decision by the previous justice minister for easing over-crowding at Greece's prisons.

Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis on Friday refuted suggestions that the government may be considering the legalization of assisted suicide, saying that any such action will continue to be viewed as consensual homicide, a felony that carries jail time.

The delayed response by Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis last week to a question regarding the government's position on assisted suicide may signal more strife to come within the ranks of the coalition government.