Four arrests in Greece over illegal building on popular islands | Inquirer News

Four arrests in Greece over illegal building on popular islands

/ 09:14 PM May 06, 2023

Four people are arrested on popular Greek islands on charges of illegal construction

FILE PHOTO: Architecture of Oia town on Santorini island, Greece. Image: istock.com/Mustang_79 via AFP

ATHENSGreece — Four people were arrested on popular Greek islands on Friday, May 5, on charges of illegal construction, police said Saturday amid a government crackdown on building abuses ahead of the tourist season.

During targeted checks carried out on the South Aegean island of Mykonos, three people were arrested for carrying out work despite a suspension of construction work that had been imposed, police said.

Article continues after this advertisement

On the island of Rhodes, an owner of a tourism business was arrested for occupying a part of the beach with fixed metal and wooden structures without a permit.

FEATURED STORIES

Greece’s environment minister vowed in March to halt illegal construction on Mykonos days after a local archaeologist was beaten in an apparent building dispute.

“The law will be enforced in Mykonos,” Kostas Skrekas said, ruling out construction permits for rural areas outside the existing urban planning grid.

Article continues after this advertisement

“No illegal plan will be legalized… there will be no loophole,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Mykonos attracted more than 2 million tourists in 2022, making it a target for illegal buildings by people looking to profit from the lucrative business.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Greece lifts COVID-19 curbs for travelers ahead of key summer season

On March 7, a Mykonos archaeologist, Manolis Psarros, was beaten by unidentified assailants outside his home in Athens.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Greek archaeologists association alleged that the attackers were probably hired by people engaged in illegal construction on Mykonos, which it said was “out of control.”

“The perpetrators of the criminal and mafia-style attacks against the archaeologist will be punished,” Skrekas said.

A Greek police unit specializing in blackmail cases is investigating the incident.

Southern Europe grapples with changing face of tourism

Music banned on Greece’s Mykonos in new COVID-19 restrictions

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

From mecca to ghost town, Mykonos awaits tourism relief

TAGS: Greece, Tourism

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.