Theocracies

Leftist opposition leader Alexis Tsipras was expected to visit to visit Mount Athos in northern Greece on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of the monastic community, according to reports.

Reports said Tsipras would be accompanied by MPs Ioannis Amanatidis and Makis Lykopoulos, both responsible for religious affairs, and Nikos Pappas, the head of SYRIZA's political office.

Police in northern Greece have arrested a 35-year-old Latvian national in connection with a large fire that burned for five days near the monastic community of Mount Athos in the summer of 2012, it was reported on Tuesday.