Mike Batiste taken into custody in Athens

Mike Batiste (204 cm, Arizona State’99) has been taken into custody by airport authorities in Athens over unpaid taxes due to the Greek government, according to a local source. Batiste is currently playing for Turkish squad Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey-TBL), but prior to joining Ulker this season, he spent nine years in the uniform of Panathinaikos, helping the club win eight Greek Championships and three Euroleague titles. The report states that Batiste’s obligation to the Greek tax man is an estimated EUR 200,000 and was taken into custody as the Fenerbahce club entered the airport in Athens, prior to the Fenerbahce-Panathinaikos Euroleague match-up on Friday. In Greece it is customary for the club to pay the taxes, so Pannthinaikos is working with local authorities to resolve that matter. Batiste has a very solid relationship with his former team, who reportedly have a halftime ceremony planned Friday in his honor as this is the first time in nine years he will be sitting on the opposing bench. It’s been reported that the club is working with local officials to get Batiste released. Batiste has a 9:00am appearance in court Friday morning regarding the matter.