Camera-shy mayor ‘sought political gain’
Lashing back at a southwest Athens mayor who had security cameras near an Olympic sports venue painted black to protect local residents’ privacy, the government yesterday said the attack was just an act of political grandstanding. «I am not aware of the details, but I am certain some people will grab any opportunity to interfere with the preparations for the Games, in order to display their party identity and create a sensation ahead of the elections,» Public Order Minister Giorgos Floridis said. Nikaia Mayor Stelios Benetatos had municipal workers sabotage three surveillance cameras on Sunday, claiming locals «don’t want everything they do being recorded.» Benetatos was elected on the support of the Communist Party and opposition New Democracy. Thousands of surveillance cameras are being installed in Athens ahead of the Olympics.
