Arrest of Turk for setting fires 'raises questions about Evros', Kikilias says

The arrest of a Turkish man for starting a wildfire in Aspropyrgos, Attica "raises a number of questions" regarding fires in Evros and around Alexandroupolis the previous year, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias said.

Speaking on the STAR channel evening news programme on Monday night, the minister said that the counterterrorism service was now in charge of the case, noting that a trial date has been set, and that this was no longer a matter for the fire brigade. "Evros, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have strategic significance for us in northern Greece, it has huge energy, national and NATO interests, and I feel that all this is beyond the fire brigade's area of responsibility," he added.

Regarding the changes to the penal code for crimes of arson through negligence, making this a crime instead of a misdemeanour, he said that those setting fires would henceforth be remanded in custody, irrespective of whether their act was intentional or accidental.

He also expressed satisfaction with the results of changes made to the fire brigade regarding the handling of forest fires, saying that the new doctrine engaged with all the various services involved, such as the police, local authorities, military, volunteers and forestry services.