Arrests on Crete for … illegal camping

Police promise to continue raids in protected areas

A rare case of arrests for … illegal outdoor camping was reported this week in rural Rethymno prefecture on Crete, with 14 people briefly detained and charged for setting up tents in Natura program-protected area.

The detainees included 12 Greek nationals and two foreign nationals, an Italian and Frenchman, with the “trespassing campers” ranging in ages from 18 to 61.

The exact site where a police operation took place was cited as the Preveli Lake region, in the municipality of Aghios Vasilios.

Authorities on the major holiday island said patrols will continue to … stamp out illegal camping.

Of course, some … parks in central Athens and other holiday islands’ central squares enjoy a “free camping status”.