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Kremena Koutsoukou

In comparison to last year the police have arrested two times less demonstrators during the protests in honor of Alexandros Grigoropoulos. With the preventative measures the police undertook, it prevented 100 vandal acts, which could have led to destruction in the capital.

1600 to 800 – this is the ratio of arrested and taken to the police station protesters in December 2008 and in 2009. The police have strictly followed a plan and all actions of the authorities were perfectly coordinated. Arrested were people, for whom there was information they will violate the law. This was announced by Minister of Civil Defense Mihalis Hrisohoidis, who also noted that Greece is once again starting to look like a country, in which citizens feel safe. According to the Minister right now Greece might be the best protected country in whole Europe.

In an effort to achieve full transparency of their actions the Ministry investigates all cases of arrested citizens and injured protesters and policemen. Minister Hrisohoidis condemned the exercise of violence against police officers. Over 30 policemen were injured during the protests in recent days. "Let's put an end to blind violence and hatred," he calls.

With the promise that police will be close to citizens, Minister Hrisohoidis announced that from January the names of policemen will be written on their uniforms. This is how they will have an identity in front of the public. The option of repealing the use of tear gas against demonstrators during protests is also considered.

By strongly condemning acts of aggression against citizens, the Minister once again committed himself to publicly uncover the perpetrators of the attack against Konstantina Kuneva.