Gambling grans' case is dropped

Gambling charges against 40 elderly women, including a 98-year-old, who held weekly poker-and-bridge parties in Cyprus, were dropped yesterday by the country's Attorney General.

The women, mostly in their 70s, were surprised to receive a court summons this week after one of their parties was raided by police in 2009. Among them was 98-year-old Eftychia Yiasemidou.

The women bet small amounts of cash during a weekly get-together in one of their homes. Gambling in Cyprus is punishable by up to six months in jail or a €750 (£625) fine.

Attorney General Petros Clerides said he had been unaware of the case and only found out about it in media reports.

AP