Cyprus authorities say they will
drop charges against dozens of elderly women for gambling after reports of their
prosecution triggered disbelief among the public.
Some 42 women aged between 60 and 98
had received a summons to appear in court this month after police nabbed them
playing a local version of gin rummy at a private residence in 2009.
Gambling for even the smallest
amounts -- in the women's case, police netted a total figure of about 100 euros
($130) -- is banned on the east Mediterranean island.
By contrast, online gambling, an
industry which has an estimated turnover exceeding 1 billion euros per year, is
unregulated although lawmakers plan to introduce legislation on the matter next
month.
"I asked for the file on the
case and I immediately gave instructions for prosecution to be suspended,»
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. [Reuters]
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