Paraskevopoulos

The so-called Paraskevopoulos law (introduced in 2015 by the justice minister at the time, Nikos Paraskevopoulos) and other measures introduced by the leftist-led administration have undermined security by leading to the release from prison of major organized crime players, as well as dangerous criminals.

The conservative New Democracy opposition has vowed to abolish the so-called Paraskevopoulos law which led to the release, for a third time Tuesday, of convicted November 17 hitman Dimitris Koufodinas on a two-day furlough, if it comes to power.

A report by a committee set up last year by the Education Ministry to investigate the problem of lawlessness in Greek universities has not offered specific solutions but leaves it to specific institutions to tackle the problem as they see fit, Kathimerini understands.

The results of the government's policy on crime have been devastating. The so-called Paraskevopoulos law (introduced in 2015 by the justice minister at the time, Nikos Paraskevopoulos) has led to the release from prison of major organized crime players, as well as dangerous criminals.

This free pass has had an incalculable cost.

More than 12,000 inmates have been granted early release from prison in the past three years under a law aimed at reducing overcrowding at Greece's penitentiaries, data from the Justice Ministry show.

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday that he has asked the head of the Hellenic Police (ELAS) to reduce the number of officers assigned to guard the party's offices by 20 percent, so they can return to neighborhood patrol amid a spike in crime.

Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis blamed the government for what he described as a rise in violent crime on Monday, referring to a house robbery in which burglars shot a businessman as "the last straw".

The recent reports of lawlessness and violent conduct at Greek universities on Thursday prompted the director of the Athens prosecutor's officer to order an inquiry.

According to reports, the probe will seek to investigate repeated accounts of violence, drug trafficking, robberies and even sexual assaults.

In the wake of reports of a spike in crime on the grounds of universities and at student accommodation complexes, Education Minister Costas Gavroglou has set up a committee of experts to "study issues relating to academic freedom, peace and lawlessness on university grounds."  

Dimitris Koufodinas, a member of the November 17 terrorist organization sentenced to consecutive life terms for his role in 11 assassinations, may be released temporarily on furlough on Thursday.

Koufodinas's previous request for leave had been rejected despite the fact that it was backed by the authorities at Korydallos Prison, where he is serving his sentence.