Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Sunday said his center-right government will immediately table legislation transferring the jurisdiction and maintenance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument and its surrounding premises to the defense ministry. The site is located directly in front of Greece’s Parliament on Syntagma Square, in the heart of Athens.

Law enforcement and security will remain in the hands of Greek Police (EL.AS).

The initiative, announced by Mitsotakis during his weekly review that’s posted on FB, comes after a hunger striking father of one of the 57 Tempi rail collision victims camped out at the site over several weeks to demand that judicial authorities approve his request for an exhumation of his son’s body.

Panos Ruci’s hunger strike attracted significant public opinion and media attention over the recent period, as well as support by the political opposition.

“This is a monument created to honor the heroes who gave their lives for freedom. It belongs to historical memory, as signified by the Presidential Guard (Evzones); a monument open to all Greeks as well as to any visitor who wants to admire it. We must preserve the familiar character that the Tomb Unknown Soldier has always had, and we’ll do so,” Mitsotakis’ post read.

In a direct reference to the recent hunger strike protest and encampment, Mitsotakis asked, rhetorically: Can a historical monument such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier become a venue for events unrelated to its purpose? My answer is no. All the more so when all citizens can express themselves freely in thousands of other places through rallies or demonstrations.”