In addition, 1,312 inspections of private individuals and businesses operating the beach were carried out during the four days of August 8-11where 413 violations were found by the local Real Estate Services, according to an announcement by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.

These controls, as stated, are to be added to the 918 carried out between July 21 and August 7in which and 336 violations were found. Therefore, it is pointed out in the ministry’s announcement, the controls carried out in the four days of August 8-11 are 43% more than those carried out between July 21 and August 7 and their total numbers amounts to 2,230, while the identified violations amount to 749.

The checks were carried out after mobilizing all the executives of the Real Estate Services, with the revocation of summer leaves and the transfer of employees to services that had staff shortages in order to carry out timely inspections of the maximum possible number of businesses.

According to the same announcement, as part of the order he gave the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakisto the general secretariat of Public Property for the intensity of controls on beaches throughout the country, the report so far includes the following:

– Between August 8-11, checks were carried out on 1,312 businesses and individuals, in 38 regional units with an emphasis on tourist areas. Indicative checks were carried out in 44 businesses in Halkidiki, 90 in Magnesia, 109 in Cyclades and Dodecanese, 138 in Crete, 191 in Peloponnese.

-From these controls, 413 violations were found concerning: Exceeding the occupation of an area beyond the leased one, and in some cases occupying a beach without a lease (arbitrary use).

– It is recalled that between July 21 and August 7, checks were carried out on 918 businesses and individuals, where 336 violations were found. Therefore, between July 21 and August 11, the total number of checks amounts to 2,230 and the total number of violations to 749.

– The penalties imposed – depending on the severity of the violation – by the local Real Estate Services include: fines, removal of the umbrella seats, demolition of the arbitrary constructions within the shared coastal and beach zone, dismissal of the tenants, up to automatic procedure for those responsible of businesses.

The inspections were carried out by the Real Estate Services under the coordination of the General Secretary of Public Property of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, Naya Kollia, ex officio or following complaints submitted by citizens. The autopsies throughout the country and especially in the popular tourist destinations will continue throughout the summer season in order, as the Ministry of National Economy and Finance has pointed out, to respect the terms of the contracts signed with the businesses, to ensure citizens’ access to the beaches in accordance with the rules of the Constitution and to protect the image of the Greek tourist product.

The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, said in this regard: “To those who persistently question our will to impose legality on the beaches and to those who persistently try to maintain the regime of lawlessness “from the back door”, we reply that just as persistently we will continue the effort to implement the law. The checks will continue in the next period as well, while at the same time we are proceeding, soon, to revise the relevant legislation for beach leases”.