Police leave port with absence of protesters
CORFU. The Crown Iris put in at Corfu because of the weather, triggering a mobilisation call and the presence of police and coast guard officers.
The protest never happened at the port after all, and the police were therefore ordered to leave, probably because their presence was sustaining a scenario of potential confrontation.
The disruption was caused by the unexpected, last-minute arrival of the Crown Iris cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists.
Corfu had not been listed among the ship’s scheduled ports of call. Reports attribute the change in course and destination to the weather.
Since early morning, a strong presence of the Port Police and the Hellenic Police has been stationed at Corfu Port, monitoring all entry and exit points.
The call to protest the arrival of the Israelis did not bring any response—at least up until 10 a.m.—and the police forces withdrew.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
