[Scan-DC] Planespotters' Appeal Begins

[Sheldon Daitch]

From KATHIMERINI, Athens, November 5:

Paraphrased from the story that may be AP sourced:

A Kalamata court will decide on the appeal launched by a group of
British and Dutch plane spotters, who were convicted of espionage,
after they were arrested a year ago after a tour of six Greek military
bases.  All but one of the 12 British and two Dutch arrived in
Kalamata for the appeal hearings.  All 14 were jailed for five weeks,
after their arrest on felony spying charges.  These charges were later
reduced.  In April, eight of the 14 were sentenced to three years in
prison for illegally gathering information, others received one-year
terms for complicity.  All were released pending the appeal.

The convictions stunned diplomats and left many Greeks
wondering why anyone would watch war planes for fun.

Paul Coppin, 57, who organized the trip to Greece is quoted
as saying, "After what happened last time, we don't really
expect very ;much.  I think a reduction of the sentence
would probably be the best outcome."

73 Sheldon
WA4MZZ