Athens court shooting exposes security failure

Employees astatine the Athens Court of First Instance stage a protestation aft a shooter barged successful and injured 4 employees connected Tuesday. [Dimitris Mitsakos/Intime News]

A weapon onslaught wrong the Athens Court of First Instance renewed scrutiny Tuesday implicit longstanding information gaps successful Greece’s courts aft an 89-year-old antheral entered the gathering and opened fire, lightly wounding tribunal employees.

The incidental came two months aft a lawyer carried a weapon into the Evelpidon tribunal complex, prompting disapproval of constricted screening measures. Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis said information checks had focused connected transgression courts due to the fact that civilian cases were not considered apt to make tension. “However, it was proven that there is an issue,” helium said.

Officials said information measures will present grow to civilian courts, with much Judicial Police officers, imaginable reinforcement by constabulary and further X-ray scanners.

Court authorities said warnings had been ignored since October 2024, when officials requested stronger information and staffing for abandoned checkpoints that were ne'er afloat manned. Judicial Police representatives besides cited understaffing, resignations and disorder implicit the service’s superior responsibilities nationwide.