Six Greek citizens are suing a German magazine for its assertion that their country tricked its way into the eurozone
Insulted Greeks are suing a German magazine over a cover story showing the Greek goddess Aphrodite sticking up her middle finger and an article which called them the "cheats in the Euro family".
Six Greek citizens are taking action against journalists working for the weekly German magazine Focus, including the magazine's then editor-in-chief and publisher, Helmut Markwort.
"Will the Greeks make off with our money?" the magazine asked on its front cover last February.
Tapping into growing German fears of a Greek bailout at the height of the financial crisis, the article depicted a country swamped in debt which had cheated its way into the eurozone.
More than a year after the article appeared, a state prosecutor in Athens is now investigating the magazine for libel and insult, according to the German newspaper, Handelsblatt.
"It was a legitimate, satirical commentary," said Markwort. In fact, he said, he was playing them at their own game. "After all, the Greeks invented satire."
But the arguments made then still ring true today, according to Markwort.
"The Greeks tricked us. Their problems haven't gone away," he said.
"Quite the opposite. The government lied, but instead of getting angry with their government, they're getting angry with us."
When the magazine hit the newsstands, it triggered an extended slanging match between the German and Greek tabloids.
Eleftheros Typos, an Athens daily, responded by printing a doctored photograph of the statue atop Berlin's victory column holding a swastika and warning of financial nazism in Europe.
The media brawl also had diplomatic consequences when the president of the Greek parliament summoned the German ambassador to complain about the media coverage.
Although Focus employees say they have not been charged, a freelance journalist has received a court summons, according to the S�ddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Markwort is not sure he would appear in an Athens court. "Don't get me wrong. I love Greek culture," he said.
"I learned ancient Greek for years at school. I'd go there on holiday, but I don't want to end up in jail. I don't trust the Greek justice system."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/21/greeks-sue-german-magazine-cheat-claims
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