Panic broke out at the offices of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) in Kifisia, Athens, after an unemployed man repeatedly called and threatened staff members because he had not received his prepaid card — the card through which his unemployment benefit is accessed. The man went so far as to threaten that “I will come with a shotgun and leave children orphaned,” prompting the director of DYPA to file a formal criminal complaint on Tuesday (18/08). Following the necessary legal procedures, the alleged perpetrator was arrested.
Unemployed man threatens DYPA employees
In an official statement, the management of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) announced that: “The Director, Gianna Hormova, filed a criminal complaint today at the Kifisia Police Department against citizen D.P.P., following an extremely serious incident involving threats to the physical integrity and lives of employees at the DYPA branch in Kifisia.”
“Specifically, the registered unemployed individual and unemployment benefit recipient threatened DYPA employees both by phone and through a series of emails, due to the non-receipt of the prepaid card through which his benefit is accessed,” the statement continues, adding: “DYPA had completed all required procedures within the designated timeframe for the payment of the benefit, which had already been credited to his bank account.
As the individual was informed by the service, the issuance and delivery of the prepaid card is a process that falls under the responsibility of the bank.”
The alleged perpetrator was located and arrested
The same statement further noted: “Despite the relevant information provided and the efforts of staff members to assist and guide him, the individual proceeded to make telephone and written threats against personnel, using language that caused reasonable and serious concern for their safety.
The relevant police authorities were immediately notified to handle the incident, and the suspect was located and arrested. The DYPA Director also filed a formal criminal complaint today at the Kifisia Police Department, requesting a lawful investigation into the matter and the initiation of the applicable criminal proceedings.
DYPA consistently serves the public, supports unemployed individuals on a daily basis, and operates with dedication, consistency, and social responsibility.
However, protecting the safety, dignity, and physical integrity of our employees is a non-negotiable priority.
Violent behavior, intimidation, and threats will not be — and will never be — tolerated under any circumstances. The management of DYPA will always exhaust every legal means available to safeguard its staff and ensure the smooth operation of its services.”
“I will come with a shotgun and leave children orphaned”
For its part, the Federation of OAED Employees reported that the unemployed citizen threatened DYPA staff with the phrase “I will come with a shotgun and leave children orphaned,” because he had not received his prepaid card and, consequently, had not accessed his unemployment benefit — despite the fact that service employees had already completed all required procedures.
In a related statement, the federation noted that employees were particularly alarmed in light of a previous incident that occurred in April, when an 89-year-old man had entered an EFKA (Social Security) office in Petralona armed with a shotgun, before proceeding to the Athens Magistrates’ Court.
The statement also emphasized that “this is an extremely serious incident, which cannot and must not be treated as an isolated event. This is not the first time that DYPA employees have been confronted with threatening behavior.”
