In the wake of a deadly vendetta that left two people dead in Vorizia, Crete, Greece’s Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis is expected to announce new measures today (November 7) aimed at tightening gun ownership regulations and strengthening police oversight.

The announcement will be made in Heraklion, where Chrisochoidis is scheduled to outline reforms to the gun licensing process and introduce stricter inspection and enforcement procedures.

“Greek FBI” Division to Be Permanently Based in Crete

As part of a broader strategy to curb organized crime and violence, the government confirmed the permanent establishment of a unit from the Organized Crime Directorate (DAOK) on the island — described by officials as a “Greek FBI.”

The move follows a series of violent incidents in Crete, including blood feuds and cases of illegal gun possession. The new unit will operate with specialized officers and focus on crime prevention and targeted policing, though authorities stressed that residents of specific areas will not be unfairly targeted.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is also expected to present additional public safety initiatives in the coming days.

Government: Laws Must Be Enforced, Not Just Written

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said in an interview with ERT News that Greece has already toughened its laws on gun ownership and illegal firearm use, but the key challenge remains effective enforcement. “The goal is for laws to be applied in practice, not to remain on paper,” Marinakis said, emphasizing that the problem of violent crime is not limited to Crete.

“Everywhere there are good and bad people,” he added. “In Crete, there are certain criminal habits that sometimes lead to heinous crimes.”

Stricter Penalties and Legal Reforms

Marinakis highlighted that recent legislative changes have increased maximum prison sentences and extended the length of actual time served. For example, life imprisonment is now mandatory for crimes such as child rape and femicide.

He noted that the Organized Crime Directorate, already active in Crete, has achieved notable results — dismantling over 130 criminal networks, identifying 2,500 suspects, arresting 1,800, and placing 600 in pretrial detention.

A Targeted, Results-Oriented Approach

According to the government, the upcoming measures will focus on practical, enforceable policies rather than symbolic declarations. Marinakis stressed that both the police and judicial authorities now have stronger tools to fight organized and violent crime, and that new actions will be designed to deliver “real results on the ground.”