Kikilias at the Supreme Court: More severe penalties in cases of arson – 2024-05-07 10:04:24

Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, went today, Thursday (02/05) to the Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, Georgia Adelinis. The meeting was held in order to request the implementation of the arsonist law. While at the same time, to inform her about all preparatory preventive actions in view of the fire fighting season.

“I had the honor today to visit Ms. Prosecutor of the Supreme Court and inform her about all the preparatory preventive actions. And based on the legislation, but also the new doctrine of the Fire Brigade and Civil Protection, in view of a very difficult fire season. And to ask, within the framework of the cooperation, that the law be applied to everything that has to do with arson, the arsonists who are habitually arsonists, but also those who are negligent.

Because unfortunately a significant part of causing forest fires in the country is and is caused by man-made factors. The prosecutor of the Supreme Court will do it. Later, he will also issue an announcement which will be posted on the website of the Prosecutor’s Office”, noted Mr. Kikilias, thanking the prosecutor and her colleagues.

“It is the duty of the state to protect the many”

Then the minister emphasized that this is a “national effort, a collective effort, a patriotic effort that aims above all to protect human life. And after people’s wealth and natural beauty, the forest.”

He added that it will be a very difficult effort. “Those who take danger lightly, it is danger-death. It was unfortunately proved to be too much in the tragic events in Mati and in other cases. Those who show such criminal negligence risk the lives of all their fellow citizens. It is the duty of the state to protect the many against them”, underlined Mr. Kikilias. He also referred to the change in the criminal code in relation to arson and especially negligent arson.

“The criminal code has changed for arson and especially negligent arson. They are no longer misdemeanors, they are felonies even if this leads to the loss of even one human life or a potential ecological disaster. Then a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years and fines of up to 200,000 euros are imminent. I am asking everyone to understand the criticality of moments this summer and behave accordingly. It is the duty of the state, I repeat once more, to protect the many,” he noted.