Vassilis Paleokostas

nacho libre

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_8700/index.html

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Giv opinyin plz b4 whups gos mad agen.

The Moldy Gowl

Anakin Spicy Violinist wrote: »

Giv opinyin plz b4 whups gos mad agen.

She gon go cray cray

wendell borton

"If you steal something small you are a petty thief, but if you steal millions you are a gentleman of society.” Greek Proverb

pauliebdub

wendell borton wrote: »

"If you steal something small you are a petty thief, but if you steal millions you are a gentleman of society.” Greek Proverb

It seems to be a very dysfunctional country with strange attitudes.

Chucken

pauliebdub wrote: »

It seems to be a very dysfunctional country with strange attitudes.

You got that from reading one article??

pauliebdub

Chucken wrote: »

You got that from reading one article??

No, it's attitudes towards paying tax etc that I've been reading about over the past 5 or 6 years that help me to draw that conclusion. The attitudes of people towards this crook and the sheer incompetence of the authorities affirm it.

The Diabolical Monocle

FFS


The robberies started again on a Wednesday.

A masked man drove a stolen van through the quiet streets of Aspra Spitia in central Greece, a clutter of white buildings with black, square windows, like a game of dominoes tumbling into the Gulf of Corinth.

Parking outside a branch of the National Bank, he forced his way inside carrying an AK-47 rifle. He ordered staff to open the ATM, and snatched 150,000 euros. Then he took 100,000 euros from the cash boxes, and in moments he was gone.

It was February 2010, and the Greek economy was in crisis caused, many believed, by greed and corruption in the banks. One man was making them pay.

In October, it is alleged he robbed two banks in the same day. In Eginio, near Thessaloniki, a robber smashed through the windows of the National Bank, then did the same at the Agricultural Bank just 100 yards down the street, escaping with 240,000 euros.

And because no-one was harmed - unusual in Greek robberies - local authorities drew a conclusion:

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It is highly likely this is the activity of Vassilis Paleokostas.”

In a crime spree spanning three decades, the man known to many as the Greek Robin Hood has taken millions from state-owned banks and kidnapped industrialists, while liberally distributing cash to the needy.

Though he differs from some other famous bandits - Ned Kelly, say, or Billy the Kid - by claiming to have hurt no-one during his exploits, he remains one of Europe’s most wanted men.

One of his former cellmates, Polykarpos Georgiadis recalls:

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Criminals snatch purses from old ladies. Vassilis was on a different level: he is a socially accepted bandit and a hero.”

But just like the original Robin Hood, Vassilis Paleokostas is despised by the authorities he plagues. They portray him as a violent terrorist and Greek journalists have strangely shied away from telling his incredible story.

article continues on bbcs pages.

The One Doctor

His life reads like a Stainless Steel Rat story.

Smiles35

In April 1990, Paleokostas was arrested while attempting to rescue his brother from prison in Larissa by driving a stolen tank through the wall. He was imprisoned, but not for long.

:eek: