Old acquaintances of the authorities for serious crimes make up the majority of the 25 men charged with felonies related to the violent incidents in Crete during the farmer protests. Two have already been arrested, while the remaining 23 were still being sought late Tuesday evening. At the same time, 200 people are charged with misdemeanor offenses and are expected to explain themselves before the courts. “This is the first group of people who participated in the serious incidents that occurred in Heraklion and Chania, as investigations to reveal the details and other involved parties are in full progress,” a Greek Police headquarters official told parapolitika.gr.
Crete: Who are the 25 charged with felonies
Members of three Cretan families who have repeatedly troubled authorities for various crimes are among the 25 men facing felony charges in the massive case file compiled by Crete police. Rich visual material from media outlets and the internet was sufficient to immediately identify those involved, as almost all are old acquaintances of the authorities. Cases of extortion, weapons, livestock theft, drugs, and assaults are just a few of those in which the 25 have been involved.
Police investigating their activities believe these men came down from specific villages in the Psiloritis mountains to vent their anger against police authorities, not to demonstrate in support of farmers’ and livestock breeders’ demands. Some of the 25 are individuals connected to the recent massive case file for illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs. Police didn’t need special help to recognize them, as they are people who frequently trouble prosecuting authorities for a series of crimes. In the new case file formed against them, they are charged with attempted homicide, bodily harm, weapons law violations, and other offenses.
The involvement of the 200 charged with misdemeanors
Police have also formed a case file that includes a total of 200 people. All are charged with causing incidents, damage to state and private vehicles, and a series of other offenses, all of misdemeanor character. These are people who participated in the serious incidents outside the airports of Chania and Heraklion, and are also charged with obstruction of transportation. They are not involved in beating police officers, as happens with the case of the 25 facing felonies, and are mainly livestock breeders and some farmers.
Injured protesters and police officers
Eight police officers who fell victim to the unprecedented fury of a specific group of protesters suffer serious injuries to hands, legs, and torso. All of them, fortunately, are in good health, though some face severe trauma. At the same time, protesters accuse police of excessive force, as 10 demonstrators went to hospitals with injuries from plastic bullets fired by officers. The injuries are mainly to legs and arms.
