Souvlaki shop boss arrested after allegedly refusing to shut down for noncompliance

The owner of a Darwin takeaway business has been arrested after allegedly refusing to shut her doors for alleged Covid noncompliance.

THE OWNER of a Nightcliff takeaway business has been arrested after allegedly refusing to shut her doors for alleged noncompliance with directions from the chief health officer.

The Souvlaki Grill and Chill owner Violet Tolios, who had been issued with a $25,000 fine for the alleged breaches, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in front of a handful of anti-mask protesters.

Police had allegedly observed three staff members working without masks, customers not wearing masks and the lack of a Covid-19 check-in facility.

Ms Tolios’s husband and business partner Michael Tolios earlier on Wednesday said police had issued her with a “fake document”, and that their staff had “legitimate reasons” for not wearing a mask.

“We’re not bothering anybody,” Mr Tolios said. “We’re confused why (police) are making such a big deal.”

The Souvlaki Grill and Chill owner was arrested by NT Police who remained onsite to ensure the premises ceased trading. Picture: Che Chorley

Earlier in the week the owners notified customers they would not enforce mask-wearing on the premises.

Mr Tolios said it was not the responsibility of a business owner to ensure staff and customers were wearing masks, which is false.

“It doesn’t matter what the chief health minister’s instructions or directions are – it’s not law,” he said. “We haven’t broken the law. We’re just running our business.

“We’re a small, private firm doing the best we can and we’re being harassed by terrorists in Batman uniforms.”

When police attended the souvlaki joint on Wednesday to again request the business cease trading, Ms Tolios told the two officers she hadn’t “done anything wrong”.

“It’s unfair that you come in here every day trying to bully my staff, trying to bully us,” the restaurant owner said.

Mr Tolios then attempted to issue one of the officers with a document, which he claimed listed a federal law that the officer was breaking.

“You’re a public servant – you have to take it,” he said.

“You work for us. This is kidnapping.”

The officer refused the sheet of paper.

NT Police who remained onsite to ensure the premises ceased trading. Picture: Che Chorley

Following the exchange, Ms Tolios was arrested and escorted into the back of a police vehicle by three officers. Mr Tolios and the anti-mask protesters could be heard yelling profanities at police as the arrest took place.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Tolios said police “clearly expected us to be frightened” after issuing the order from the CHO, and the Tolioses were going to “call the bluff”.

According to a statement from NT Police, the takeaway restaurant was directed to close after police visited a number of times during the past week and gave the business “ample opportunity to comply with directions”.

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“The CHO issued a direction for the business to cease trading immediately and to remain closed until such time compliance officers are satisfied the CHO directions will be met,” the statement said.

“Shutting down a locally owned small business is the very last thing any of us wanted to do at this time. Unfortunately, we’ve seen that not all members of the community are willing to take on a short-term inconvenience for everyone’s long-term safety.”

Originally published as Souvlaki shop boss arrested after allegedly refusing to shut down for noncompliance