Thassos residents thwart TAIPED fact-finding trip

Residents of the island of Thassos in the northern Aegean prevented a visiting representative of the state privatization fund (TAIPED) from entering the town hall at the island’s main port on Friday, protesting the government’s plans to put some state-owned sections of land up for private development.

There was tension on Friday when the official, who was not identified, arrived at the town hall in Limenas and was faced with a crowd of angry islanders. The tension did not escalate into clashes but the official was forced to leave without the information he had come to acquire regarding the plots that TAIPED is considering putting up for sale.

Thassos Mayor Costas Hatziemmanouil said the area of Chrysi Ammoudia had been included in the island’s general town plan and could be subjected to a «mild regeneration that is environmentally friendly.”