ANyone else feel sorry?
Source: BBC News
Eight of the 14 plane-spotters accused of spying at a military airshow in Greece have been found guilty of espionage.
The remaining six of the group of 12 Britons and two Dutchmen have been found guilty of aiding and abetting.
Those found guilty of espionage, which include the two Dutchmen, were each sentenced to three years.
It is understood they will be able to go home while they appeal against their sentence.
Those found guilty of the lesser charge were given sentences of one year each suspended for three years.
‘Ludicrous’ decision
One of those found guilty of espionage, Paul Coppin said after the verdict: “I wasn’t expecting this at all.
“The press have been here to see the evidence in the court and can see the case is ludicrous.”
Plane-spotter Steven Rush has vowed to return to Greece to appeal against his one-year suspended sentence.
He said he was “extremely annoyed” that they had been separated into two groups on the basis of who had notebooks.
“We were all in Greece together.
“We were in two vans. We went round together and did the same thing.”
He said he did not see the distinction between the two groups.
Stephen Jakobi, director of Fair Trials Abroad, said this verdict would have wider repercussions.
“I’ve forecast all along that if the Greeks got this one wrong the shock waves would be felt throughout Europe.”
‘Stunned’
Familes and friends of the plane-spotters have told the BBC of their disbelief at the verdicts.
Mr Coppin’s mother, speaking from Norfolk, told the BBC she found the verdict “unbelievable.”
Jean Butt said from her home in Norfolk: “My son has three young boys at home.”
And Julie Wilson, wife of Christopher Wilson, said: “Greece was supposed to be the birthplace of democracy and justice.
“Now it’s shown it’s the death.”
Stephen Jakobi, director of Fair Trials Abroad, said this : “I’ve forecast all along that if the Greeks got this one wrong the shock waves would be felt throughout Europe.” MEP Richard Howitt, who has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the plane-spotters, said he was stunned by the result.
“The verdict bears no relation whatsoever to the evidence given.
“I can only think that there was no prospect of a fair trial.
“We are talking about a guilty conviction, the prospect of a prison sentence even with a year away.
“These people’s lives have been blighted”.
He said they had suffered financial hardship with their bail payments and their jobs were on the line.
Defence lawyer Yannis Zacharias said: “I expected them not to stay in prison. That is what I promised.”
Invitation
The three Greek judges delivered their verdict on Friday afternoon, following three days of evidence.
The group had denied the espionage charges, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in jail or a hefty fine.
They were arrested at an airshow in Kalamata, southern Greece, last November, and charged with taking pictures in a military zone.
The plane-spotters insisted they were at the show on the invitation of the Greek authorities and that any information collected was already freely available.
But Greek prosecutors told the court in Kalamata they knew what they were doing was illegal and could compromise the country’s national security.
They spent five weeks in prison before being released on 14 Dec after posting bail of £9,000 each.
Originally they faced a felony charge of spying, which carries a 20-year sentence, but this was later downgraded to misdemeanour charges.
Those found guilty of espionage are:
Paul Coppin, 45, of Mildenhall, Suffolk
Peter Norris, 52, of Uxbridge, west London
Antoni Adamiak, 37, of London
Andrew Jenkins, 32, from York
Graham Arnold, 38, from Ottershaw, Surrey
Gary Fagan, 30, from Kegworth, Leicestershire
Patrick Dirksen, 27, from Eindhoven, Netherlands
Frank Mink, 28, from Den Helder, Netherlands
Those found guilty of aiding and abetting are:
Lesley Coppin, 51, Mildenhall, Suffolk
Michael Bussell, 47, of Swanland, near Hull
Michael Keane, 57, of Dartford, Kent
Steven Rush, 38, from Caterham, Surrey
Christopher Wilson, 46, from Gatwick, West Sussex
Wayne Groves, 38, from Tamworth, Staffordshire
By: monster500 - 6th November 2002 at 10:28
RE: Greek spotters
The Greek’s are very cautios about Airport security, in the 70s Greece was often a target of terrorism, it also has a known terrorist organization, November17 is the name, All of Athens airport is marked not to take photographs.
By: 777crazy - 6th November 2002 at 09:47
RE: Greek spotters
if it was such a secret why not move the planes to another base or move the show or cancel it ???
By: Ren Frew - 6th November 2002 at 09:35
RE: Greek spotters
Didn’t they go out there on one of those Ian Allan aviation tours? Surely someone should have been aware of the regulations concerning spotting at Greek military establishments ? Or maybe as suggested, the Greek authorities were keeping it a secret.
By: dcfly - 5th November 2002 at 22:42
RE: Greek spotters
LOL!! good point
Dave :7
By: wysiwyg - 5th November 2002 at 22:36
RE: Greek spotters
I heard something today about having broken a secret law. If it’s secret, how do you know not to break it?
By: Rabie - 29th April 2002 at 12:52
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
just to let you lot know that steve touchdown of afm is that steve rush on that list.
i think this is all a terrrible injustice and joke.
rabie :9
By: kev35 - 28th April 2002 at 14:25
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
“Kev – I think the nature of this case is that the group had permission to be at the open day on the base and as such activities like ‘plane spotting’ would be thought natural – after all if you don’t want everyone to see your secret aircraft the best thing is not to invite the public round. It’s a bit like leaving your front door wide open at night and then being surprised when all your jewel’s have gone in the morning.”
David,
I take your point that this would indeed be the rational viewpoint to take regarding this incident. However, I believe the spotters were asked not to take photographs. If that was the case it wouldn’t take the greatest leap of imagination to guess that the Greeks would not want you taking notes either. I feel sorry for the families who are going to suffer an incredible amount of financial hardship at the very least over this matter and I like to think I would have more common sense than to jeopardise my families future over a hobby.
To more enlightened societies plane spotting, though often misunderstood, is tolerated. I think the onus now lies in educating spotters as to what is allowed in the countries they visit and also trying to educate countries with a negative view of spotting what an innocent hobby it is.
Regards,
kev35
By: David J Burke - 27th April 2002 at 20:08
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
Kev – I think the nature of this case is that the group had permission to be at the open day on the base and as such activities
like ‘plane spotting’ would be thought natural – after all if you don’t want everyone to see your secret aircraft the best thing is not to invite the public round. It’s a bit like leaving your front door wide open at night and then being surprised when all your jewel’s have gone in the morning.
Regards the other legal point’s – the group if they decide not to return to Greece for the appeal will loose their bail money and then face the posibility of the Greek authorities applying for extradition. If it’s a case that this were to happen the extradition appeal would then be heard in the respective countries – it’s would be up to a court in the U.K hear the evidence and if they deem necessary order the arrest and deportation of the person to stand trial in Greece. I am of the opinion that it would be unlikely for a U.K court to deport judging by the amount of evidence or indeed the lack of it.
I would be interested to know what IAT and various other shows have in mind that host Greek Air Force aircraft – I for one would find it extremely distasteful if they get an invite this year.
By: T5 - 27th April 2002 at 18:55
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
It’s an absolutely stupid verdict!
What I can’t get over is the fact that the Greeks cannot seem to recognise “Plane-spotting” as being a hobby?
I hope the appeal goes the right way for them and that they are back home soon.
By: Benair316P - 26th April 2002 at 23:25
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
This is an absolute joke. I feel very sorry for the spotters and their families…this is terrible.
I can understand what your saying Kev though. They probably were aware of the sensitivity of the Greeks with regards to Spotting and so should have taken more care. It is such a shame that this is the outcome though.
I also agree that the Greeks should have taken the time to look into and gain a better understanding of our hobby. Surely there are Greek plane spotters?…i’ll certainly be a lot more careful next time i’m there.
Regards
Ben
By: kev35 - 26th April 2002 at 21:14
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
I know this is probably going to cause me a lot of grief, but, are people on this forum really surprised at the outcome?
As sensible, responsible adults, some of whom have dependent families at home, one would have thought they would have been aware of the sensitive nature of spotting in Greece, let alone the fact that it is not understood by the Greek authorities. Greece has always had problems with Turkey so it can be understood why they might be sensitive about the taking of notes. While it may be common knowledge that the Hellenic Air Force has this aircraft bearing that serial number, it may be that the Greeks are more interested in stopping people gaining knowledge of individual aircraft movements. Photographs may show new weapons fits or ECM gear, information which would be useful to a potential enemy.
Having said this, I don’t believe this group were engaged in espionage, but I do think that, knowing the sensitive nature of the Greeks, the whole group are guilty of terminal stupidity. The people I feel sorry for now are the families left behind and the struggle they will have to overcome the financial, social and legal implications caused by an ‘innocent’ spotting holiday in Greece.
Regards,
kev35
By: mongu - 26th April 2002 at 18:14
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
Do we have any legal eagles here?
How does this work – is a Greek sentence enforceable in the UK or Holland?
If they choose not to go back to Greece, do they remain free?
By: KabirT - 26th April 2002 at 16:33
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
This is the height, i feel very sorry for the captured and there families.
By: Saab 2000 - 26th April 2002 at 16:28
RE: GREEK SPOTTERS
This is a ridiculous verdict! If the Greeks had taken some more time to understand aviation spotting he would understand that only the thought of spying would be stupid and that it was just a not knowing the Greek rules.Hopefully the Dutch and UK government will respond to the Greek government about this!
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April 26, 2002 at 4:21 pm