Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias told Mega TV channel that the anti-terrorist squad’s operation to arrest fugitive suspected terrorist Nikos Maziotis in the center of Athens did not take place by accident.

He also expressed the appreciation on behalf of the Prime Minister to the anti-terrorist squad team and especially to the officers who were originally tailing the terrorist.

Kikilias said that more developments are expected in the investigation, noting that a major operation is underway.

The MP of main opposition party, SYRIZA, Dimitris Stratoulis said that Maziotis has been prosecuted for crimes under common law and not for his ideas and that his arrest was accidental, because of an error he made.

“Police must be directed towards public crime,” Mr. Stratoulis told Mega TV channel.

“Mr. Stratoulis chose to discredit one of the most successful operations of Greek Police” Mr. Kikilias said adding that “I don’t believe that the opposition shares the same opinion. It is sad to hear politicians discrediting Greek police especially when a few hours ago I asked all political forces to joint a united front against terrorism”.

Responding to Mr. Kikilias statements, Mr. Stratoulis talked about an act of political provocation against SYRIZA and said that the government tries to mislead people. “If we want police chase crime and not the protesters, police should get a better education and learn to protect themselves” he said.

“Mr. Stratoulis did not say anything absurd. It could be an accidental arrest, but it is very good that police arrested him. Whether police should have arrested him in the city center or somewhere else is another matter,” said Dimitris Tsoukalas, head of the section of Public Order of SYRIZA.