Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis has given assurances that those responsible for the recent violent incidents at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) will be identified and arrested soon. He also revealed that the Hellenic Police are scrutinising the activities of other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) following the case involving the ‘Paidiki Chara’ charity.

The minister made the remarks in Thessaloniki during a presentation of the findings of a police investigation into an organisation alleged to have embezzled nearly €3 million in donations and funds raised through appeals for children with serious health problems.

Answering questions from journalists, Chrysochoidis addressed both the response to violence at universities and investigations into possible illegal activities by other NGOs.

‘Those responsible for the violence at NKUA will be identified very soon’

Asked about the recent incidents at NKUA and who was responsible for the scenes of violence, Chrysochoidis made clear that the police are not there to maintain a permanent presence inside universities, but intervene when criminal offences are committed.

“The police have no place inside universities. We have been stressing this for years. The police do their job and, beyond that, if criminal offences are committed within universities, those acts are investigated under criminal procedure and criminal law, with suspects and defendants identified in connection with any conduct that is against the law,” he said.

He then referred specifically to the attack on students while they were holding a general assembly, stressing that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“In this sense, those who attacked students two days ago while they were meeting and holding a general assembly will clearly be identified and arrested. They will be brought to justice, as always happens. No one who engages in this kind of action goes unpunished,” he said.

The minister also urged people to look at the outcomes of previous cases involving similar incidents, arguing that those responsible do not escape punishment.

“Take a look at the outcomes of similar behaviour and you will understand what I mean. Those who carried out acts of violence against students, putting even their lives at risk, will therefore be identified by the authorities very soon,” he added.

On the issue of campus security, Chrysochoidis pointed out that laws had already been passed and decisions taken, and that what remained was to put them into practice.

“Decisions have been taken and laws have been passed; what remains is their implementation. I am referring to the security plans being advanced by the Ministry of Education, as well as all the necessary equipment to ensure that access to universities is not open to just anyone. So, I have answered your questions on everything that falls within the remit of the Hellenic Police,” he noted.

He also referred to steps being taken by the Ministry of Education to control access to university premises.

“The Ministry of Education is currently making a major effort and accelerating procedures so that access to universities by students and any visitors becomes controlled,” he stressed.

Hellenic Police scrutinising other NGOs following ‘Paidiki Chara’ case

During the same briefing, the Citizen Protection Minister revealed that the authorities are monitoring the activities of other non-governmental organisations following information and complaints received by the relevant services.

His remarks came as he presented the case involving the ‘Paidiki Chara’ NGO, headed by Konstantinos Firinidis, which the authorities accuse of embezzling money raised through charitable appeals for sick children.

Answering a journalist’s question, Chrysochoidis clarified that the Hellenic Police intervene whenever complaints, information or suspicions of illegal activity come to light.

“As far as the criminal dimension, or any delinquent or illegal activity by non-governmental organisations, is concerned, it is clearly our responsibility. Whenever there is a suspicion, information or a complaint, we intervene. A number of organisations are already being monitored over their activities, following information or complaints received by our services,” he said.

The minister provided no further details about the organisations concerned or the areas in which they operate.

He did, however, make clear that investigations would not be limited to the ‘Paidiki Chara’ case, with further operational and financial investigations to follow.

“The state has a duty to protect both citizens who give from their limited means and the genuine beneficiaries of assistance. For this reason, the investigations do not stop here. On the contrary, further similar operational and financial investigations will follow in the same direction, with the aim of identifying and eliminating such phenomena and bringing those responsible before the courts,” he said.

Referring to the NGO case, Chrysochoidis said that a months-long investigation by the Northern Greece Sub-Directorate for Combating Organised Crime had uncovered practices that undermine public trust in charitable activities.

“Following a lengthy and thorough investigation, the Hellenic Police, through the Northern Greece Sub-Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, have completed a particularly serious case concerning the activities of individuals who allegedly exploited the operation of an NGO.

“According to the findings of the investigation, those involved allegedly exploited the public’s compassion for children facing serious health problems, promoting fundraising campaigns and collecting donations. However, a significant proportion of the money intended to support the beneficiaries did not go towards the purpose for which it had been given,” he said.

The minister noted that, according to the police findings, the main individuals involved allegedly embezzled millions of euros, using deceptive practices to bolster the organisation’s credibility and attract more donors.

Also attending the presentation were Major General Fotis Ntouitsis, director of the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, and Aristidis Mintzas, police director of the Northern Greece Sub-Directorate for Combating Organised Crime.

Mintzas said the financial investigation is focusing on 246,000 bank transactions involving 29 accounts linked to the main suspect and his 35-year-old wife.

According to the figures presented, a total of €5.8 million passed through the organisation from 2018, when it began operating, through 92 fundraising campaigns.

Chrysochoidis stressed that NGOs carry out important social work, but that this cannot shield them from scrutiny over possible illegal activities.

“I want to make it clear that non-governmental organisations are an important part of civil society and carry out significant social work, making a meaningful contribution to solidarity and social cohesion. However, no status, institution or organisational structure can place anyone above the law. Any unlawful conduct, wherever it originates, is subject to scrutiny by the competent authorities,” he emphasised.

Concluding his remarks, he sent a message that the authorities would continue investigating cases where there are indications that human compassion is being exploited.

“The message is clear: antisocial behaviour, the exploitation of human compassion and every form of illegal activity that undermines social trust will be dealt with decisively and consistently, always within the framework of the law.”