Rhodes: Two Swedish tourists convicted of trying to tear down Greek flag

Two Swedish citizens have been given suspended sentences for attempting to remove the Greek flag from the police security headquarters on the island of Rhodes.

The Court of First Instance on Tuesday handed down suspended sentences of six and seven months in prison respectively to two 19-year-old boys who tried to remove the Greek flag from the building of the Police Sub-Directorate of Security. The sentences were suspended for three years.

Both Swedes were found guilty of disrespect for symbols of great national importance, but the court accepted the arguments of their lawyers about their young age as a mitigating circumstance.

The incident occurred last Saturday, May 18, at around 10 p.m. Two tourists were detained on their own initiative by police from the Rhodes Security Unit. Young Swedes filmed their actions on a mobile phone and then posted them on social networks.

In the courtroom, both stated their remorse and said that they had previously used some alcohol and were under its influence, reports the local publication rodiaki.gr. After the court's decision, both young Swedes were released.

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