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Welcome to the News desk.
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Cyprus drops gambling charges against 'Supergrans' over card
game |
03/03/2012 |
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Reuters in
Nicosia |
Forty-two women
aged 60-98 had been summoned to court after police net 100 from raid on
game similar to gin rummy
Cypriot authorities say they will drop charges against dozens of
older women for gambling after reports of their prosecution triggered disbelief
among the public.
Some 42 women aged 60 to 98 had received a court
summons following a police raid on a private residence where they were playing
a local version of gin rummy.
Gambling for even the smallest amounts
in the women's case, police retrieved 100 ($130 or £80) in
the raid in 2009 is banned on the island.
By contrast, online
gambling, an industry with an estimated annual turnover of more than 1bn,
is unregulated although lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next month.
"I asked for the file on the case
and I immediately gave instructions for prosecution to be suspended," Cyprus's
attorney general, Petros Clerides, told state television.
The women,
dubbed "Supergrans" by one newspaper, say their hobby helps keep their minds
alert and allows them to socialise.
"What would they have expected us
to do when we are 96," said Eftychia Yiasemidou. Now 98, the former
schoolteacher says she still indulges in her favourite hobby. "I only stopped
about 20 days ago, temporarily, because of the cold weather," she told the
Politis daily.
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