Greece will not rush 'spies' case

NAFPLIO, Greece -- The Greek government has dismissed international calls to speed up the case of 14 British and Dutch plane-spotters held for over three weeks on charges of spying.

"We have received many texts, interventions, calls from authorities, mainly from the UK," government spokesman Christos Protopapas told Reuters.

But, he added: "The prosecutor and investigating authorities are independent. There can be no intervention."

Last week, European Parliament President Nicole Fontaine sent a letter to Greek Foreign Minister George Papadreou adding her voice to others expressing concern for the fate of 12 Britons and two Dutchmen.

If charges are brought against them the case could take up to a year to come to full trial and the spying charges carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.

"I would be very grateful if you could keep me informed as quickly as possible of future activity to be undertaken by the authorities in your country relating to this unfortunate episode," Fontaine wrote.

The Britons -- 11 men and one woman -- and two Dutchmen have been detained in Greek prisons since their arrest on November 8 pending a court decision on whether to try them or release them.

The decision was expected in the next 10 days.

On Friday, British Labour European Parliament deputy Richard Howitt visited Greek Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and asked for due process for the accused.

"I'm very concerned that he appears to believe strongly that the group were given warnings and ignored those legal warnings, something which the families of those in jail strongly repudiate," Howitt told reporters after his visit.

On Saturday, Howitt visited Lesley Coppin -- the only woman of the 14 being held in prison.

Coppin is being held in Korydallos prison near Athens, which is Greece's only women's jail, in a cell she shares with 16 other prisoners, none of whom speak English.

Howitt told the Press Association: "She is living on her nerves, living day to day, but she was in good spirits and is bearing up incredibly well in what is a terrifying ordeal.

"She made a direct appeal to the British Government to work for their release, and said she felt they were being treated as if they were guilty until proven innocent.

"And she, like the men, has not had enough access to her lawyer. They all feel angry about that."