Greek Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced this week that police had arrested several people suspected for arson.
As part of efforts to crack down on arson attacks, the minister went on to add that new legislation foresees sentences of up to 10 years for arson by negligence and 20 years for arson with intent.
Arson is now considered a felony under Greek law, he said, adding that “all fire incidents will be investigated in depth. Those found responsible will be brought to justice and face the consequences of their criminal actions.”
Arrested this week were a 66-year-old on suspicion of arson by intent for the fires in Vari last June, and a 33-year-old suspected of setting the fires in Magoula (Elefsina) in July and August.
Both men remain in custody and are being questioned.
Three more men were arrested earlier this week suspected of setting fires in the Domokos area in Central Greece.
Meanwhile, the country’s Civil Protection authority has issued a Level 4 high fire alert for Wednesday, August 7, for the Greek islands of Samos, Ikaria, Chios and Psara, and a Level 3 alert for the remaining Aegean islands, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lassithi (Crete), Attica, Evia, and Thessaloniki.
Civil Protection is advising residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution in the coming days and to keep informed.
In case of fire dial 199 for the fire service.
