Filenews 5 April 2023 - by Fanis Makrides
Shopkeepers who market firecrackers and fireworks over the Easter holiday period will even face criminal liability. This emerges from an internal note dated yesterday signed by a senior police officer - the content of which "F" is in a position to know – and addressed to heads of services and departments of the Corps. The responsible officers are asked to follow a specific protocol in order to safeguard public safety in view of Holy Week (10-15/04). In this note, in fact, there are specific instructions for firecrackers and fireworks, the use of which has often led to amputations and other serious injuries.
In this context, it is pointed out by the senior officer who signs the note, to approach owners of hunting premises, kiosks and shopkeepers with the ultimate goal of stressing to them the criminal responsibility they have under the current legislation in relation to the disposal of such products. "They should be advised not to sell explosives to minors or young persons," it said.
On the same subject, a recommendation is made in order to have adequate policing in places where there is a concentration of young people and dangerous fireworks are used. There is also an encouragement to request the assistance of the Mechanized Immediate Action Unit.
In addition, always based on protocol, an additional officer will be appointed every night until Easter Sunday, who will coordinate the relevant operations of the Police. Instructions are also given for strict checks at barricades, the green line and in the area of Pyla, as well as for the immediate police investigation of cases in order to bring offenders to court.
This protocol that police officers are required to follow includes, among others, the actions that will be taken in cooperation with members of the Fire Brigade, when they are called upon to extinguish fires caused by the lighting of "lambratzias".
