Final decisions on the reduction of the guards of politicians and former officials were taken by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, on the basis of an updated risk assessment.
The three former presidents of the Parliament, Giannakis Omirou, Dimitris Syllouris and Marios Karoyan, lose the two police guards assigned to them, as well as the two wives of the former Presidents of the Republic, Elsie Christofia and Androulla Vassiliou, who each have a driver.
The removal of the guard was carried out in the context of the new single procedure for the provision of police guard, during which the Police proceeded with an updated risk assessment, on the basis of which there are no reasons for continuing the permanent guard. Therefore, the guarding of the above former officials will end on October 5, 2026. The decision is based solely on the risk assessment and is not related to the official's status or institutional path.
As for the former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, who currently has 12 police officers, things will change from next January with the removal of the static guard in his home and the installation of a closed circuit surveillance.
According to the decision that has been taken, in the context of the new unified procedure for the police guarding of Mr. Anastasiades, his escort of 6 police officers will be maintained. The guarding of the residence by another 6 police officers will continue until the installation of an electronic surveillance and early warning system, while from January 2027 it will be reinforced with frequent patrols of police vehicles.
