Minister warns he will not ‘tolerate’ vigilantism

In an apparent warning to would-be vigilantes threatening to take up arms to protect citizens against the impact of a deepening recession and rising crime, Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said on Thursday that “self-professed protectors will be sent home ” The minister, who this month assumed the public order portfolio for the third time, said it was important that citizens feel safe but that vigilantism was unacceptable. “We must give the citizen a feeling of security and the sense that the state is there to protect, but we cannot tolerate those who aspire to undertake the protection of neighborhoods or certain extremists who assume the role of protector,” he said.

The minister’s comments came a day after a group calling itself “Patriotic Citizens’ Protection” said it was training army reservists and others to tackle the “chaos” expected to break out once the recession deepens.

Ekathimerini.com