“This attack should not and will not go unpunished, it is a question of legality, it is a question of justice”, the Minister of Citizen Protection Yiannis Oikonomou emphasized, among other things, in his statements about the “murderous attack”, as he described it, against a police officer with a flare during the incidents involving police and fans outside the closed gym “Melina Merkouri” on Thursday night.

“These criminal organizations, the gangs of hooligans, do not deserve and should not find any support from anyone in Greek society. This is the only way they will be dismantled and isolated,” added Mr. Oikonomou.

The minister underlined that “at this moment our meaning is in the health of the injured policeman” while he expressed his thanks to the doctors for their efforts to keep him alive.

The statement of the Minister of Citizen Protection in detail:

“Right now our concern is with the health of the injured police officer. The doctors made superhuman efforts to keep him alive and I want to thank them very much. We pray for the development of his health condition. Our police officer was assassinated. This attack should not and will not go unpunished, it is a question of legality, it is a question of justice.

The Greek Police for a very long time, like the whole of society, has been paying heavily for fan violence by gangs of hooligans. Dealing with these criminal organizations must and must be permanent. One more thing. These criminal organizations, the gangs of hooligans, do not deserve and should not find any support from anyone in Greek society. Only in this way will they be dislocated and isolated.

I want to once again thank the doctors of the hospital, (who) despite the fact that they were not on duty, rushed and gave their best to keep the policeman alive.”