Michalis Chrysochoidis, Greece’s Minister of Civil Protection, gave an interview tonight to ERTNews journalist Giorgos Kouvaras, where he discussed political developments in France and shared his perspective on addressing crises. He emphasized the importance of moving past challenges to achieve progress.
The minister also addressed the disturbing case of a 45-year-old parliamentary police officer. He shared his shock and personal experience, stating, “Over the years, I have witnessed many horrific incidents. I’ve seen bodies on the street, and touched the deceased. Yet, I am still deeply shaken by this case. It’s hard to comprehend what we’re hearing, and I prefer not to say more due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Some children suffer immensely—at the hands of life itself or their parents—and we must respect their experiences while reflecting on how situations like this come to be.”
He clarified that while 55,000 individuals serve in the House and the police force, this case should not tarnish the reputation of the entire institution. “Like any social group, the police have members who exhibit extreme behavior, but these instances are exceptions, not the rule. As a minister, I deal with about 100 domestic violence cases every day. Out of these, there are 60 arrests daily, and I review each case with the police chief to assess the potential for escalation into more severe incidents.”
Chrysochoidis also discussed the specific behavior of the accused officer: “No one can truly know what happens behind closed doors, even in the home of a police officer. Regarding his conduct in Parliament, let me point out that in the last decade, 2,500 officers have served there without any similar incidents. This appears to be a unique case. Once a complaint was filed against this officer, immediate action was taken. His weapon was confiscated, he was referred for multiple evaluations, and he was placed on sick leave. All findings from the evaluations are being submitted to the investigating judge, who is conducting a very thorough and critical investigation.”
Chrysochoidis stressed the importance of allowing the legal process to proceed without undue interference, acknowledging the gravity of the ongoing investigation.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions