Following press reports on the decision of the Prosecutor to press charges against four additional Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) officers in relation to the Adriana fishing vessel shipwreck off the coast of Pylos on 14/6/2023, the Greek Ombudsman, Andreas Pottakis issued the following statement: “Nine months have passed since the National Mechanism for the Investigation of Arbitrary Incidents by law enforcement officers completed its ex officio investigation and forwarded it to the competent bodies i.e. the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and, in accordance with the law, the competent Public Prosecutor; and while criminal charges for several felonies have been brought against HCG officers, the competent Ministry insists on abstaining from any disciplinary action, disregarding what the law dictates. This delay, in my opinion, does very little to boost the morale of HCG members, men and women, who conscientiously fulfill their duties, honoring their oath. It clearly pays no tribute to the reputation of the Hellenic Coastguard internationally.”

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