Ministry eager to raze illegal Schinias tavernas
In a bid to avoid another hefty fine from the European Court of Justice, the Environment Ministry has been urging the Municipality of Marathon, northeast of Athens, to pave the way for the demolition of five tavernas operating illegally on protected land on Schinias beach.
Authorities have already demolished three of the eight original structures that were illegally erected on land listed for environmental protection as it is a part of the Natura 2000 network.
The ministry has appealed to the municipal authority to revoke the licenses of the five remaining tavernas, saying that a 2014 order to suspend their demolition expired in August.
Deputy Mayor Vassilis Tsoupras told Kathimerini, however, that the 2014 stay has not expired yet and voiced concern that if the demolitions were to proceed, this would embroil the municipality in a “judicial battle with these particular businessmen.”
