By Ioanna Mandrou

An urgent announcement by the president of the Supreme Court to the directors of the courts of first instance throughout the country, regarding the illegal occupation of the seashore and the beach in coastal, lakeside and riverside areas, was posted on the website of the Supreme Court.

Mrs. Klapa’s announcement is as follows:

“According to the Constitution, seashores and beaches are public (non-commercial) and shared. Their main purpose, as public spaces, is ‘the free and unobstructed access of the public to them, as well as land communication with the sea, lake or river’.

As is well known, during the summer of this year, the legally competent authorities carry out, on a daily basis, intensive and thorough checks throughout the country, in order to identify the illegal occupation of the seashore and beach, including lakeside or riverside areas , by tourism businesses and private individuals, the consequence of which has been the cause of intense social unrest by the citizens, who are claiming the self-evident, that is, the unhindered, according to the Constitution, use of the beach and the beach.

These controls had and still have as a consequence, in the event that the relevant violation is established, apart from the other sanctions, the issuing of administrative dismissal protocols, removal of mobile equipment and temporary facilities, as well as the imposition of fines.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that, during the discussion before you of legal remedies on behalf of the persons affected by the above-mentioned measures, and especially during the adjudication of interim measures and temporary orders, you demonstrate, as you should, after hearing both opposing parties, the maximum possible attention and diligence, with a view, in advance, to the observance of the principle of legality, the defense of the public interest and the goods of society as a whole”.