Newsflash from Thursday, 4 December 2025: Viannos Man Arrested Yesterday with Arsenal, Escapes Harsher Penalties.
A stringent new law against illegal gun possession officially comes into force today in Greece, imposing severe penalties including up to 20 years of imprisonment and hefty fines reaching 150,000 euros. The legislation targets all types of firearms—beyond just hunting weapons—and aims to curb illegal gun ownership and reckless shooting incidents.
In a striking case underscoring the urgency of the new law, a 54-year-old man from Viannos was arrested just yesterday, hours before the law took effect, after police discovered an entire arsenal in his possession. The cache included a Kalashnikov rifle, another military-grade firearm, three hunting rifles, a revolver, and nearly 800 rounds of ammunition.
Thanks to the timing of his arrest, the man will be prosecuted under the previous, less strict legal framework, narrowly avoiding the harsher penalties introduced by the new legislation. Authorities expect that from today onward, similar cases will face far more severe consequences.
Greek Minister of Public Order, Michalis Chrysochoidis, has issued a stern warning from the Parliament floor, emphasizing that illegal gun possession and the tradition of celebratory gunfire (“mpalothies”) will no longer be tolerated and will incur heavy punishments.
The new law also holds event organizers and nightclub owners accountable if they fail to report incidents involving illegal firearm use, signaling a broader crackdown on gun-related offenses.
While legal experts caution that tougher laws alone may not fully resolve the issue, this legislative step represents a significant move toward disarming the island and enhancing public safety.
Source: Nea Kriti
