Street musicians fined 300 euros in Thessaloniki for using sound equipment

On the afternoon of April 19, the band Yilturum was performing near the White Tower on the Nea Paralia waterfront in Thessaloniki. Municipal police officers issued a 300-euro fine to two musicians for using microphones and amplifiers, citing Article 7, Paragraph 4 of the Regulatory Decision 85/2025. Musician Evangelia Botsi stated that there was no prior warning before the officers arrived and interrupted the performance. While the authorities claimed the use of amplified sound on the waterfront has been prohibited for months, the musicians expressed their intention to continue playing. Panos Vlachos publicly opposed the fine, organizing a street performance to protest the decision. The musicians reported that the fine could have been 600 euros, but was ultimately reduced to 300. The incident has sparked a discussion regarding the enforcement of municipal regulations on street performances.