In the context of intensive controls carried out by the police services of the South Aegean for the observance of the legislation regarding the use of beach, yesterday Thursday August 17, in Mykonos, Paros and Rhodes, twenty-two persons were arrested by control levels, as owners-responsible-legal store representatives, who were found to be in violation of the applicable provisions.

Read more: And in Tinos the “sunbed war”: 3,000 sq.m of beach were “liberated” – A businessman on the spot

Specifically, the identified violations related to the occupation of the beach with umbrella seats without permission from the competent Authority, use of space that falls under archeology protection provisions and obstructing access to the sea by placing umbrella seats at a distance of less than 5 meters from the shoreline.

The following were arrested in detail:

At Mykonos

– Legal representative of a company and another 17 people, who were working on the installation of a metal structure-platform occupying 380 sq.m. part of the coastal-beach zone without a permit.

– Temporary manager of a store of health interest, who had placed 16 sets of umbrella seats, 16 wooden structures with 4 sunbeds in each of them, occupying a space of about 300 sq.m. without permission.

At Paros

– A business owner who had placed 206 sets of sunbed umbrellas occupying part of the waterfront and beach area without a permit.

– Temporary manager of a tourist accommodation who had deposited 12 umbrellas and 24 deckchairs and had installed a 5 meter long fence and a wooden gazebo inside the beach and beach without a permit.

In Rhodes

– Temporary manager of a store of health interest who had placed 136 umbrellas and 272 sunbeds, of which 20 umbrellas and 40 sunbeds were located less than 5 meters from the shoreline, thus preventing free public access to the sea.

Also, 220 tables and chairs had been developed in the area and there were fixed wooden structures, without the approval of the competent Archeology Service and permission to use the beach.

Lots of violations in Eastern Attica as well – Eight out of ten businesses are illegal

On Sunday, August 13, the on-site inspections carried out in areas of Eastern Attica by inspection teams of the National Transparency Authority found heaps of violations of the legislation for the use of beaches by businesses.

All the businesses that were audited had concluded concession agreements for the simple use of the seashore-beach with the competent Authorities. However, as it was found, of them:

– A percentage of 83% had developed umbrellas on the beach in an area larger than the one granted by 86 sq.m. up to 800 sq.m. per case.

– A percentage of 50% occupied a space multiple of that granted for the operation of a wheeled or trailer canteen.

– A rate of 83% did not comply with the specified percentage of coverage of the granted beach, which amounts to 60%, and for the areas included in the Natura network at 30% of the granted space.

– 67% did not have a sign posted with the plan and photo of the concession area, as defined by the current legislation, so that any violation of the concession limits can be easily noticed.

– For one case, an issue is raised regarding the fulfillment of the condition for a free beach area at a rate of 50% of the total.

During the audits, tax (17% of audited) and insurance (67%) violations were also detected.

For the above findings-violations, the legal procedures for imposing the prescribed sanctions and taking the foreseen administrative measures will follow.