Greek Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Giannis Panousis announced the disengagement of 1,500 to 2,000 police officers used for guarding person-targets. “The policeman in the neighborhood and foot patrols will continue to exist,” he said to Greece’s VIMA FM on Monday. On a question regarding the use of chemicals in demonstrations, the Minister said that these things must stop. “To use chemicals means that things are at an extreme condition during which the opposite side is using different kind of weapons from pieces of marble to anything else. Then you can examine the possibility [of using chemicals]. Chemicals should not be used to chase pensioners and teachers. If you have information, or you have something unpredictable, it goes without saying that police will be near but with without guns. Only if something happens or there is information that the other side is preparing to do something. If we send the police whenever 10-15 thousand people gather then we should have police at the square, round the corner, in the office. Everywhere!” he added. (source: ana-mpa)