Justice Minister Costas Fytiris has moved from words to action. According to information obtained by Politis, he has sent letters to former House Presidents Marios Garoyian, Demetris Syllouris and Yiannakis Omirou, as well as former First Lady Elsie Christofias, informing them that their police guards will be withdrawn from 5 October.
Former First Lady Androulla Vassiliou had relinquished the police guard assigned to her a few days ago following public backlash. However, she also received a letter from Mr Fytiris.
According to the same information, the security detail assigned to former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades will be reduced next January from 12 police officers to six, following the installation and operation of an electronic surveillance system at his residence.
The decisions to withdraw or reduce police guards were taken within the framework of the new unified procedure governing the provision of police protection.
Police carried out an updated risk assessment, which found no grounds for the continuation of permanent protection.
The decisions are based exclusively on risk assessments and are not related to the office held or the institutional background of the official concerned.
