In a first step for the Pakistani men who claim to have been kidnapped here in Greece, the case will be going ahead…while no-one is jumping to conclusions, there is hope that the true story will be revealed.

Via Kathimerini

Pakistani migrants who claim they were kidnapped by secret agents last summer said yesterday they felt vindicated by a prosecutor’s decision to press charges in the case, while the government said it would wait for justice to run its course before commenting.

“We feel we have won a major battle. We have spoken the truth and the prosecutor has believed us,” Javed Aslam, head of the Unity of Pakistan organization in Athens, told reporters during a press conference he held with some of the 28 men who claim they were abducted.

“I feel vindicated today but I am still afraid because there are threats from many sides for us to reverse our testimony and say nothing happened,” said Raja Rafakat, one of those who claim they were kidnapped.

The government said that the prosecutor’s decision to press charges of abduction against “persons unknown” did not prove anything yet. “The government will wait for the completion of the judicial investigation,” said alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.

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Ruling backs Greek abduction case

A Greek prosecutor has backed claims by a group of Pakistani men that they were abducted by intelligence agents in the wake of the London bombings last July. He recommended charges against at least two Greek officers but allegations of British MI6 involvement are unlikely to be pursued due to diplomatic immunity.

The Pakistanis say their captors spoke English, blindfolded them and interrogated them for several days.

Fifty-six people, including four bombers, were killed on 7 July, 2005.

Judge's role

The governments of Greece, Pakistan and Britain have denied any involvement in the abduction of the 28 Pakistanis, who live in Greece.

The Supreme Court prosecutor, Nikos Degaitis, was announcing the conclusions of an inquiry that he launched into the allegations at the beginning of the year.

Mr Degaitis had identified two Greek intelligence officers but has not named them.

Greek law permits charges to be brought against "unknown persons".

The examining judge must decide whether specific individuals are charged or the case is archived.

A lawyer for the Pakistani men praised the prosecutor's decision.

Frangiskos Ragoussis said: "It was the best possible development for us, as the charges confirm that the criminal act of abduction was committed.

"The way has opened for us to bring all these despicable people to justice."

The BBC's Richard Galpin in Athens says the prosecutor's ruling, making it likely that formal charges are brought against the two Greeks, is a significant step forward for the Pakistani men.

However, our correspondent says it seems for the moment that there will be no further investigation into the alleged involvement of the MI6 station chief in Athens because he has diplomatic immunity.

He was called back to London when a Greek newspaper named him and claimed he was present during the interrogation.

All the governments denied involvement. Greek public order minister at the time, George Voulgarakis, said: "No Greek government would resort to the use of masks or hoods or any other James Bond-style methods."

Now groups campaigning on behalf of the Pakistanis have renewed their calls for Mr Voulgarakis - now culture minister - to resign.