Officers removed from guarding VIPs, buildings

Just over 1,000 policemen have stopped guarding VIPs and returned to normal duty over the last few weeks, the government said on Friday.

Alternate Minister for Citizens? Protection Yiannis Panousis informed Parliament that between January 22, just before the current government was elected, and March 26, 1,002 policemen had been removed from positions guarding VIPs and buildings.

Panousis added that 115 cars and 57 motorcycles had also returned to use in normal police duties. Panousis was responding to a question from Independent Greeks MP Nikos Nikolopoulos, who also asked who the policemen were protecting and how much it cost taxpayers.

Panousis said he could not release more information for security reasons.