NewsLab

It is not the title of a popular Hollywood movie but it describes the affair that shocked the political world of Greece and is embarrassing the government for the last three weeks. The scandal broke after former culture ministry general secretary Christos Zachopoulos resigned last month and then tried to kill himself, apparently because he was being blackmailed.
His 35-year-old female assistant has been charged with blackmail and with participation in the attempted suicide, with possible intent, although she denies allegations. But at the hands of the prosecutor, there is a DVD, in which has been recorded private moments of Mr. Zachopoulos and the prime suspect. Police experts say the DVD has been edited and that has raised questions in the media about whether the missing part could have damaged the government.
Last Friday, the case has taken a new twist, following a second suicide attempt by one of the two lawyers appearing to be involved with the alleged blackmail of the ex-culture ministry general secretary.
Zachopoulos, who is still in hospital, was close to the Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis and had extensive financial and political powers at the ministry responsible for Greece’s antiquities. The opposition asks for the review of several contracts he approved, as well as decisions to allow construction on or near archaeological sites.
Just four months after its re- election on pledges to fight corruption, the centre- right government has experienced a serious blow, with senior officials compromising its purported clean – hands credo. Last month, the labour minister resigned after it was revealed that he built a summer mansion on a refreshment bar permit and employed workers on site without paying contributions to Greek social insurance, an organisation under his supervision.<