Vassilis Tsiatouras

Vassilis Tsiatouras

A genial man and 1st head of Internal Affairs in Greece. His record in that job, however, produced few convictions (8 out of 180 cases) and corruption levels in the police force remain high.

From Ekathimerini:"An important factor in the Internal Affairs Department's effectiveness was that last year, as compared to 2000, the number of accusations of corruption against police officers dropped, while in contrast, the number of officers arrested for other offenses has almost doubled, said Tsiatouras.

Tsiatouras replied, «Now you're asking why we don't arrest all criminals. Indifference is not corruption, and besides, we are monitoring the police force's effectiveness in central Athens.»"

Since this time, Tsiatoras has been promoted within police ranks and is frequently cited as the commanding officer in cases reaching Western media. So, when Afghans were abused, it was Tsiatoras who responded and ordered an investigation(2005)

(http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/content.asp?aid=50982)

When Necati Zontul was detained and tortured, Tsiatouras declared it a "one off incident at best".

The Ministry of Order currently lists him as the Head of the Hellenic Police General Staff Lieutenant General Vassilios Tsiatouras. He is formerly commander of the Attica security police, and head of the southern region.

October 13th 2004: KATHIMERINI, ETHNOS, RIZOSPASTIS- report criticizes process for dealing with police complaints. Implicit criticism of Tsiatouras, head of Internal Affairs, Sept 1999 - March 2002 (cf Oct 6th, 2001 above) complaints generally dismissed, penalties very light. Pasok MP Phoibos Ioannidis asked Tsiatouras to account for the large number of police accused of corruption. In his period in office, only 8 police had been brought to trial by 2001- 2 were cleared, 6 convicted and most expected to be acquitted on appeal.