Former Greek Culture Ministry official attempts suicide
{{date|December 20, 2007}}
{{Greece}}
The former General Secretary of the [[w:Greek Ministry of Culture|Greek Ministry of Culture]], Christos Zachopoulos, 54, attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of his apartment in central [[w:Athens|Athens]]. He was found lying in the pavement outside his home in [[w:Kolonaki|Kolonaki]] at 14:00 [[w:Eastern European Time|EET]] ([[w:UTC+2|UTC+2]]).

According to evidence, Mr. Zahopoulos had fallen from the fourth floor of his apartment under unclear circumstances. The attempted suicide of Zachopoulos shocked the political world of [[Greece]], mainly after published allegations about misuse of [[European Union|EU]] funds from the Ministry of Culture.

Television station [[w:Mega Channel|Mega Channel]] and the blog Press-gr have published rumours which connect Zachopoulos with tapes that contain sexual scenes of the former General Secretary. So far, however, no specific content has been published and nobody confirmed officially the existence of such material.    

Originally a history teacher from [[w:Thessaloniki|Thessaloniki]], Zachopoulos had resigned from the post of director three days ago, after a demand from Prime Minister [[w:Kostas Karamanlis|Kostas Karamanlis]], a personal friend of his.

Zachopoulos was moved to Evangelismos Hospital where he is hospitalized while his clinical condition is very critical. The tomography he was submitted to showed that the brain injuries are not serious while fractures in arms and legs will require surgery. 

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.ert.gr/en/c/12/29517.asp
 |title=Mr. Zahopoulos Severely Injured
 |author=NET 105.8
 |pub=Elliniki Radiofonia Tileorasi
 |date=December 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article3080117.ece
|title=World in Brief
|author=Associated Press|pub=The Times
|date=December 20, 2007}} - ''fourth brief''
*{{source|url=http://www.tanea.gr//Article.aspx?d=20071219&nid=6919711&sn=&spid=896
|title=Αδιαθεσία μετά την παραίτηση
|author=|pub=Ta Nea
|date=December 19, 2007
|lang=Greek}}

{{Publish}}
{{archived}}
[[Category:Greece]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:European Union]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Athens, Greece]]
[[Category:Suicide]]
The former General Secretary of the Greek Ministry of Culture, Christos Zachopoulos, 54, attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of his apartment in central Athens. He was found lying in the pavement outside his home in Kolonaki at 14:00 EET (UTC+2).

According to evidence, Mr. Zahopoulos had fallen from the fourth floor of his apartment under unclear circumstances. The attempted suicide of Zachopoulos shocked the political world of Greece, mainly after published allegations about misuse of EU funds from the Ministry of Culture.

Television station Mega Channel and the blog Press-gr have published rumours which connect Zachopoulos with tapes that contain sexual scenes of the former General Secretary. So far, however, no specific content has been published and nobody confirmed officially the existence of such material.    

Originally a history teacher from Thessaloniki, Zachopoulos had resigned from the post of director three days ago, after a demand from Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, a personal friend of his.

Zachopoulos was moved to Evangelismos Hospital where he is hospitalized while his clinical condition is very critical. The tomography he was submitted to showed that the brain injuries are not serious while fractures in arms and legs will require surgery.
Greece Europe European Union Politics and conflicts Athens, Greece Suicide