Police arrest 72-year-old for operating unlicensed beach bar with 400 sunbeds in Anavyssos

Police find beach occupied

On the morning of 12 June 2026, officers from the Saronikos Police Department raided a beach in Anavyssos, a coastal area in Attica, as part of checks to ensure free public access to the coastline. They discovered that a 72-year-old man, identified as the temporary manager of a health-interest business, had installed roughly 200 umbrellas and 400 sunbeds over a large stretch of the beach. He had also placed tables, chairs, and sound equipment on the sand, according to the police announcement.

The business was sealed days before

The establishment had been sealed by competent authorities just a few days earlier because it was operating without the required licence. Despite the closure order, the manager had reopened the business and expanded the sunbed setup across public beach space. This added the offence of violating a sealing decision to the charge of illegal beach occupation.

Arrest and legal response

The 72-year-old was arrested on the spot and taken to the police station. Officers opened a criminal case file against him and the business owner. The charges include illegal occupation of a beach and violation of the sealing order. Following his arrest, the man was brought before the competent prosecutor in Athens. The police also informed other relevant agencies to coordinate follow-up actions, which may include additional fines or administrative sanctions for the owner.

Wider campaign along the Attic coast

The Hellenic Police stated that similar operations are continuing across the entire Attic coastline. The goal, they said, is to protect public space and guarantee unobstructed access for citizens to the beaches. Illegal occupation of Greek beaches by bars and restaurants, which often place paid sunbeds far beyond licensed limits, has been a recurring enforcement challenge in tourist areas like Anavyssos, south of Athens along the Saronic Gulf.