Monitoring of dangerous substances and objects
Harmonizing Greek legislation with EU directives and UN recommendations is essentially aimed at developing counterterrorism measures. So the new law includes a number of provisions regarding «dual-purpose weapons systems,» substances or objects normally used for peaceful purposes but which, in the wrong hands, could become lethal weapons. This category includes chemical fertilizers that can be converted into powerful explosives. Since the end of 2003, after the terrorist attack in Istanbul where fertilizer was found to have been used for this purpose, the Greek police have been discreetly monitoring the distribution of these substances in Greece. A number of chemicals used as detergents, thinners and other household uses can also be used to make explosives. Equipment used to make lipstick can be easily converted to make bullets, and sugar-manufacturing equipment can be used to produce chemical gases. Cigar-cutters have also been banned in several countries as they have been used as instruments of torture.
