Greece arrests 7 arsonists who attacked Jewish targets in Athens | The Jewish Press – JewishPress.com | David Israel | 29 Sivan 5784 – Friday, July 5, 2024

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Greek authorities on Thursday arrested seven people suspected of organizing arson attacks on Israel-linked establishments in Athens. The anti-terror service announced the arrests in connection with two incidents that occurred on June 8 and 15.

The first attack was directed against an Israeli hotel in the Athens inner city district of Psirri at the intersection of Mykonos and Aisopou streets, not far from the Acropolis. The perpetrators smashed the windows of the restaurant on the ground floor and started a fire with clothing soaked in flammable substances. The second incident involved the nearby Chabad House, where the attackers poured gasoline in front of the entrance to start a fire. Both fires were quickly extinguished, so the damage was limited.

Three suspects – two men and a woman – have been linked to the attack on the hotel. They were tracked down after they lost a mobile phone while fleeing. Surveillance footage also helped in their identification.

The attack on the Chabad House, which was reportedly not the first to be carried out at the location, involved a Greek national, an Iranian and an Afghan. They were identified based on video evidence, a stolen motorcycle left near the crime scene and an air pistol they lost during their escape.

An Afghan prisoner who is currently serving a long prison sentence for murder is also involved in the case. He was extradited from Germany a year ago on the basis of a European arrest warrant issued by the Greek authorities. One of the arrested men claimed that the prisoner had offered a reward of 3,000 euros for carrying out the arson attacks.