Elements of ‘crime and lawlessness’ in Exarchia cited by the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, Responding to criticism he received for the announcement of the ban on concerts in the area – following the episodes that took place last Saturday.
In particular, the Minister of Citizen Protection He announced, among other things, that concerts or other similar events in the “Public Order” region would not be allowed, a decision for which it was “fire” from the opposition.
“In my recent radio interviews, I mentioned that the episodes that took place last Saturday in Exarchia is an isolated incident, which is not naturally tolerated. But as I have emphasized Exarchia, for years, they have not been the disobedience and crime that, unfortunately, had been converted before Kyriakos Mitsotakis took over the government, “he said,” Michalis Chrysochoidisamong other things in his post.
See the entire post by Michalis Chrysochoid:
“Good evening,
Happy Easter and Happy Resurrection to everyone and everyone,
Today I come back to the issue of Exarchies, because the criticism is welcome, but it must be based on elements.
In my recent radio interviews, I mentioned that the episodes that took place last Saturday in Exarchia is an isolated incident, which is not naturally tolerated. But as I have emphasized the Exarchia, for years, they have not been the disobedience and crime that, unfortunately, had been converted before Kyriakos Mitsotakis took over.
If you look at the 2018 – 2019 publications you will read a black image about Exarchia. Episodes and attacks on police officers, dozens of thefts, drug trafficking on each square and occupied buildings, which were used as violence. Residents who had resentful, professionals who had left the area and the police could not apply the law.
Since July 2019, when the prime minister assigned me the responsibility of the Ministry of Citizen Protection, we have implemented a special plan for the security of the Exarchia area, which has continued over the years.
The police were and are in Exarchia every day to restore then and to maintain security.
He broke up drug trafficking, arrested traffickers, dislodged spirals and criminal groups, evacuated dozens of squatters and eventually handed the Exarchia to residents, professionals and visitors.
To support this position, I will give you three basic data: (a) the state of crime, (b) the operations of the fight against drug trade, and (c) the incidents and attacks on police forces.
Thefts:
2018: 1.293,
2019: 1.482,
2020: 774,
2021: 701,
2022: 518,
2023: 347,
2024: 385, 74% reduction
Robberies:
2018: 210,
2019: 162,
2020: 64,
2021: 50,
2022: 44,
2023: 17,
2024: 20, 90.4% reduction
Episodes- attacks on police officers
2018: 149,
2019: 94,
2024: 20, reduction 86.57%
I will make special reference to drug trafficking cases. The Drug Enforcement Directorate, which then belonged to the Attica Security Directorate and today at the Organized Crime Management Directorate, was the impact team to combat trade in the region.
So let’s look at the cases in the Exarchate area, handled by the particular service per year:
2019: 90
2020: 88
2021: 0
2022: 8
2023: 1
2024: 3
Finally, there are three more indicators that prove that security and regularity are now the daily life in Exarchia: a) hundreds of new businesses and investment, b) Thousands of visitors choose the shops in the area every weekend to entertain and c) tens of thousands of tourists.
In spite of a reduction, which is 85% in crime and episodes, this does not mean that we are complacent or tolerate episodes, such as those of last Saturday or other offenses.
Exarchia, however, are not a dying of lawlessness, no dystopia of violence.
We continue to fight daily for the security and prosperity of the citizens in Exarchia, Athens and all over Greece. “
