Clarifications were given regarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, following the debate sparked by changes in administrative responsibilities. As emphasized, the responsibility for law enforcement and policing of the area remains exclusively with the Greek Police. The Ministry of National Defense will have a role in protecting, maintaining and cleaning the monument, without involvement in law and order issues.
“For several days the center of the capital was disrupted. But now a reasonable question arises: can a historic monument like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier become a venue for events unrelated to its mission? My answer is no. Especially when all citizens can express themselves freely in thousands of other locations through rallies or demonstrations,” wrote Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in his established weekly review and citizen updates through social media, continuing:
“That’s why the government decided to untangle the web of overlapping responsibilities around the guarding and maintenance of this unique Athens landmark. Through legislative regulation next week, it assigns exclusive responsibility for the protection and proper functioning of the Unknown Soldier to where it belongs: the Ministry of National Defense.
This is, after all, a monument created to honor the heroes who gave their lives for freedom. Which belongs to historical memory, as symbolized by the Presidential Guard. A monument open to all Greeks. And to every visitor who wants to admire it. We must preserve this familiar character that the Unknown Soldier has always had. And we do.”
In essence, according to the Prime Minister’s briefing, immediate legislative regulation is coming that assigns to the Ministry of National Defense the responsibility for protection, maintenance and cleanliness of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument.
Meanwhile, as confusion and major debate was about to be created by some with the argument that… the army is coming down to Syntagma Square, government sources clarified that “law enforcement measures remain the responsibility of the Greek Police” and that “the Defense Ministry will have responsibility for protecting the monument.”
