December 2007:
Christos Zachopoulos, your average all-round corrupt politician and childhood friend of current PM jumps off the 4th floor to end his life in a bid to avoid embarassment about what’s about to come. He manages to survive the fall because his fat breaks the fall (seriously, I’m only objective here).
However, his jump fueled the situation and his story unfolded.
Flashback:
For years Zachopoulos has enjoyed the privilege of being secretary general of the culture ministry. The culture ministry in Greece comprises mainly of young archaelogists seeking a permanent job. Zachopoulos, being the cheeky fellow that he is, had his way with the ladies. He bedded women promising permanent jobs in the ministry.
A friend of mine in the ministry confirms this to be true and known fact for years in the archaeological circles.
The problem appeared when one of his girlfriends got fed up with waiting for the permanent position that never came (unlike Zachopoulos who did, presumably).
She used her mobile phone to record one of their sessions at his home, and as it appears the secretary general likes to brag about his powerful friends that he may have shared information about them (is it about financial scandals? or sexual? no-one knows) that he would later regret.
And then the story gets a bit gray, depending on who you choose to believe.
Most people agree that his girlfriend blackmailed Zachopoulos, although what she asked for is uknown. She copied the video to a DVD which found its way to a Greek journalist who then offerred to cover it up in exchange for protection against past sins.
However, as soon as the prosecutor started interrogating the people involved in this case, this all blew in everyone’s face.
Everyone’s?
Hardly.
Today, Zachopoulos is still “recovering” in ho, even though some reports said that he was well from the first week after his suicide attempt, and in fact away from unscrupulous journalists as he chose to continue his recovery away from Athens. He is said to have accepted a job in a publishing house.
The journalist has lawyered up and has asked that the prosecutor be exempted from this case.
The other girls that were employed at the ministry for having sex with the secretary general? No-one even bothered with them.
And the girl that got fed up with waiting and decided to take matters into her own hands? She’s been locked up and can’t post bail.
Is she a flight risk when her face has been plastered in international media? No.
Is she a danger to society? Hardly.
Is she a danger to some pretty powerful people? You betcha.
