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Greek Minister Highlights Security Lapses After 89-Year-Old Gunman Incident
🇬🇷 Greece /Elections & Politics

Greek Minister Highlights Security Lapses After 89-Year-Old Gunman Incident

From Ta Nea · (6m ago) Greek Critical tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A 89-year-old man, previously deemed mentally ill, was able to legally obtain a firearm and later used it in shootings at a public service office and a courthouse.
  • The Greek Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrisochoidis, expressed surprise at how the individual acquired a weapon and highlighted security lapses at both locations.
  • The incident has prompted calls for improved security measures and better coordination among relevant authorities to prevent similar occurrences.

The recent incident involving an 89-year-old gunman has exposed critical security vulnerabilities within Greece's public institutions, prompting a stern response from Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis.

It is strange that he was deemed mentally ill and later got a gun again.

— Michalis ChrisochoidisThe Greek Minister of Citizen Protection expressed surprise at how the 89-year-old gunman was able to obtain a firearm after being previously declared mentally unfit.

Chrisochoidis voiced his astonishment that an individual previously declared mentally unfit could legally obtain a firearm. He pointed to glaring security failures, noting the gunman entered the EFKA (Social Security) office past a security guard without being checked, and later entered the courthouse without any screening. "There are security gaps. It was very wrong that he entered the courthouse without checks," he stated, emphasizing that these issues have been long-standing and neglected.

He entered the EFKA where there is a security guard, he didn't see him, he didn't check him. He went inside, injured a person in the leg, left there, went from there by taxi to the Court of First Instance. There are security gaps. It was very wrong that he entered the courthouse without checks.

— Michalis ChrisochoidisThe Minister detailed the gunman's movements and highlighted the security failures at both the EFKA office and the courthouse.

The Minister stressed the need for a coordinated effort from all responsible bodies, asserting that "everyone must do their job" regarding security. While acknowledging potential delays in the police response, he left open the possibility of an internal investigation, underscoring that accountability is shared. This event serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges in ensuring public safety and the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms across the country.

Everyone must do their job regarding security issues.

— Michalis ChrisochoidisThe Minister emphasized the need for coordinated action and individual responsibility in addressing security concerns.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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