Plans to relocate a Roma encampment that stands just off Mesogeion Avenue behind Nomismatokopio metro station, at Halandri, is set to begin today with the demolition of 12 of the 26 shacks at the site, upon decision of the central and local government officials amid strong opposition and heated protests against the scheme by residents of the camp.
After a long meeting on Tuesday, between the Interior Ministry’s general secretary of decentralized administration, Manolis Angelakas, Halandri Mayor Simos Roussos and representatives of the local Roma community, it was decided for 12 shacks, currently unoccupied to be destroyed. However there are lines still open as to the fate of the remaining 14 shacks of the camp, which was settled nearly 40 years ago. 
Mayor Roussos argued that the mountain plot in Megara, western Attica, where the Roma encampment was to be relocated, “is totally inappropriate” due to its high altitude thus it will be cold at night, and it has no basic infrastructure or access to schools.
Angelakas said the relocation of the Roma could be postponed for six months for a more suitable site to be found.