Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis sent a clear message that the occupation or blockade of customs and ports as part of agricultural protests cannot be allowed. He described these sites as “infrastructures of vital national importance whose operation cannot be violated, as doing so endangers the functioning and security of the country.”

Speaking on SKAI TV on Monday, he added: “Some farmers attempted to occupy a customs checkpoint and were informed that legal action would be taken—not violence. Anyone who decides to do this must also understand the consequences.”

Chrysochoidis emphasized that the right of any social group to demonstrate is constitutionally guaranteed, noting that “just this year in Athens alone, there have been 1,700 demonstrations, of which 450 concerned the Palestinian issue, resulting in repeated closures of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. Beyond that, there are two conditions for exercising this right:

• No use of violence. Violence has no place in democracy, and those who use it violate democratic order.
• Critical infrastructure cannot be occupied by anyone, as it could threaten the public interest and national security.”

No obstruction of goods or people

The minister added: “There can be no action that obstructs the passage of goods and people. It’s not just a matter of arrests; occupying a customs checkpoint, which is the country’s entry and exit point, is very serious and costly. Everything else can be discussed.”

He also stressed that “anyone causing destruction of public property, which taxpayers will have to pay for, is unacceptable.”

Referring to an incident on Sunday in Larissa, in Platykampos, where a police officer was punched, he said: “That officer is also a worker—why should he be treated as a punching bag? I consider the matter closed. From the Hellenic Police’s side, there is no intention for confrontation. We are seeking coordination, provided the conditions I mentioned earlier are met.”

20 criminal families in Crete

Asked about the situation in Crete, Chrysochoidis reported that there are “20 criminal families who act with impunity, engage in extortion, livestock theft, and drug trafficking.”

He also mentioned ongoing discussions on new weapons regulations: “Beyond Kalashnikovs, possessing a pistol or revolver will also be a felony. Anyone firing a gun in the air will face aggravated charges, and the business owner who tolerates it without notifying the police will also be punished.”

“The 20 families have been mapped, case files are being prepared, and a special unit operates under the Cretan branch of the Greek FBI. The main problem areas are north and south of Psiloritis. A new unit of 60 officers with operational services will monitor the entire region.”