Alex Mechisvili has been missing for just over a year now.

Via BBC News

A leading child psychologist, Dr Christina Antonopoulou has accused police in northern Greece of covering up the activities of a paedophile ring. She said that from the beginning she believed that his disappearance was linked to child sexual abuse and molestation.

This disturbed many people in Veria and they began to express their hostility. I am talking about the legal department, the police and people in political offices. I was very surprised how people began to close in when we came to discuss names that could be involved in Veria

She now needs a bodyguard when she travels to the “triangle of abuse” as the area is known to Interpol (referring to the area marked by the three towns of Veria, Edessa and Kozani). Recently, a businessman in Edessa was charged with molesting young boys and paying the children’s parents to keep them quiet. One of his victims identified at least one of Alex’s alleged murderers as being involved in a paedophile ring.

Alex’s mother, Natela, is calling for the government to authorise a new inquiry by national police. She said

I must remain strong for Alex. I must find him, or I must find the people who made him something ugly.We want our son back, alive or no.

I don’t know how anyone can bear such pain. It is clearly written on her face. As well as losing her child, she is dealing with a town that has closed ranks against her and the five suspects are free to hang around her apartment and taunt her. How can people allow this ? Those people who are covering up are guilty of complicity.

My thoughts are with her.

Full story at BBC News