Papacostas issues stark warning to NG miscreants

DEFENCE Minister Costas Papacostas yesterday blasted the recent spate of beatings that have dogged the Marine base at Mari, which is used as the training ground for the elite Underwater Demolition Squad of the National Guard, more commonly known as OYK.

Papacostas sought to highlight that beatings of soldiers by other soldiers were considered a criminal offence, meaning that any culprits and future perpetrators of similar offences would be punished accordingly.

The two incidents in question, which occurred earlier in the month at Evangelos Florakis Naval base in Mari, raised the question of the enforcement of discipline present in the camp, as well as the underlying atmosphere of violence that would, at a glance, appear to reign there.

The first beating was reportedly due to one soldier apparently refusing to assume guard duty, which led to his being hospitalised by three hooded men, while the other attack was exacted on a sleeping sailor who had missed his guard duty.

Papacostas outlined in frank and direct terms that such behaviour was absolutely unacceptable and incompatible with the proper functioning of the National Guard, and did not shy away from the possibility of altogether dismantling the squad.

Employing the proverb that “if the apples on a tree are found to be rotten, then you cut it down”, his warnings are intended to both repel the possibility of such violations of conduct occurring again, as well as serving to reassure the public that such violence is not endemic in the army, but rather a symptom being displayed at this moment at the specific base in question. Police investigations continue.

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