The two arrested persons rehearsed one day before the cold-blooded murder of the journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, according to what EL.AS officers said during the briefing on the developments in the case, after yesterday’s arrest of a 40-year-old and a 48-year-old.

“From the combined analysis of the material gathered, it was determined that the perpetrators used at least one scooter-type motorcycle and a van-type truck to approach and escape from the scene of the crime.

It is noteworthy that movement of these vehicles was found in the same area and at the same time the day before the homicide“, the officer said, noting that those arrested had rehearsed the day before the journalist’s murder.

“The two citizens are accused of participating in the murder of the journalist Giorgos Karaivaz at noon on April 9, 2021,” said the ELAS officer, confirming that it is a forty-year-old man and a forty-year-old man who are related to each other.

As it emerged after the arrest of the two perpetrators, the 40-year-old is also involved in the murder of a Greek, in July 2021 in Galatsi.

The Director of the Attica Security Directorate, Brigadier General Ioannis Skouras, the head of the Homicide Department, Giorgos Drosinis, the General Police Director of Attica, Major General Asterios Mantzoukas and the Chief of ELAS, Lieutenant General Lazaros Mavropoulos participated in the presentation.

The announcement of the Hellenic Police

Statements of the Director of the Attica Security Directorate, Brigadier Ioannis Skouras:

“We have called you today to present to you the results of the investigations of the Attica Security Directorate, specifically the Department of Crimes against Life and Personal Freedom, which led to the arrest of two citizens, who are accused of participating in the murder of the journalist Giorgos Karaivaz, which was committed in the midday hours of April 9, 2021.

It is about a 40-year-old and a 48-year-old relative, who were arrested yesterday, Friday, April 28, 2023, pursuant to relevant arrest warrants.

In addition, the investigation revealed that A 40-year-old man is also involved in a homicide committed against a citizen on December 6, 2021 in Galatsifor which he was arrested on another warrant.

As our Minister, Mr. Theodorikakos, has repeatedly emphasized, we are never going to leave any criminal act and especially homicide unsolved, and this certainly applies even more to the murder of a journalist. That is why we made this case an absolute priority and I want to point out that we had the absolute and continuous support of the Minister and the Chief of the Greek Police.

In this context, the special operational group that was set up was composed of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers, who were engaged in the collection of data and information, as well as the processing of pre-investigative and informational data.

I should note that throughout the preliminary investigation, we were assisted by specialist investigators of the Intelligence Management and Analysis Directorate, who managed to sort and process the large volume of digital data collected as well as the Digital Evidence Analysis Department of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, through of the know-how it possesses, providing safe and usable conclusions.

The result of the methodical and thorough investigation was to demonstrate key findings regarding the means used by the perpetrators of the homicide and related mainly to the planning and implementation of the act as well as their unhindered escape from the scene of the crime.

Further analysis of the resulting data, from the route followed by the perpetrators both in their approach and in their escape, combined with evidence from other homicides characterized as “on order” and related to organized crime, led to the identification and the identification of the two nationals, both of whom have concerned the authorities in the past.

For my part, I would like to thank the colleagues who handled the case for the professionalism and dedication they showed throughout the investigations, which of course continue to identify the remaining perpetrators.

More details will be analyzed by the Spokesperson of the Greek Police, Police Officer II Constantia Dimoglidou.”

Statements of the Spokesperson of the Hellenic Police, Police Officer II Constantias Demoglidou:

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

As previously mentioned by the Director of the Attica Security Directorate, from the Crimes Against Life and Personal Freedom Department, yesterday afternoon, Friday, April 28, 2023, pursuant to relevant arrest warrants, two citizens aged 40 and 48 were arrested for their participation in the homicide of of the journalist Giorgos Karaivaz.

In addition, the 40-year-old was arrested on the basis of a second arrest warrant related to another case of homicide against a citizen, which was committed on December 6, 2021 in the area of ​​Galatsi, Attica.

At this point and in continuation of what Mr. Governor pointed out, I would like to inform you about the history of the case of the homicide against the journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz.

As you already know, midday hours of April 9, 2021 in the Alimos area, an unknown assailant with his facial features covered, approached the journalist on foot and shot repeatedly at him.

The result was the fatal injury of the journalist, while the perpetrator boarded a two-wheeled motorcycle driven by his accomplice and fled in an unknown direction.

From the above Service and with the assistance of the Directorates of Information Management and Analysis as well as Criminal Investigations, a thorough and combined investigation followed, which led to the collection of important informational and pre-investigative data.

Specifically, from the combined analysis of the material gathered, it was determined that the perpetrators used at least one “SCOOTER” type motorcycle as well as a “van” type truck to approach and escape from the scene of the crime. It is noteworthy that the movement of these vehicles was found in the same area and at the same time, the day before the homicide was committed.

This was followed by further data collection regarding the “van” type truck in order to clarify its ownership status and ascertain the reason for its movement in the area. In this context, it emerged that the vehicle in question belongs to a company, for the operation of which the 48-year-old was responsible, while from the subsequent financial control that was carried out, it was shown that the presence of the vehicle in the area during the disputed time periods in no way justified.

From the subsequent pre-investigation process, which focused on additional cross-examination of evidence and person examinations, the participation of the 40-year-old and the 48-year-old in the execution of the homicide emerged.

These are people who have concerned the authorities in the past, while in particular for the 40-year-old it emerged, from the investigation of the Department of Crimes against Life and Property, that he is also involved in the case of another homicide committed in Galatsi on December 6, 2021.

In this context, all the pre-investigative evidence collected for both cases was submitted to the competent prosecuting authority and then the relevant arrest warrants were issued.

With reference to the criminal past of those arrested, it was established that:

  • were arrested following relevant arrest warrants accused of robbery with accomplice and violation of the arms legislation, regarding a robbery case, which they had committed in 2012 in an area of ​​Attica, while in addition,
  • the 40-year-old has been charged with attempted murder, simple bodily harm, menacing, defamation, false accusation and breach of domestic violence legislation.

Those arrested are being taken to the competent prosecuting authority, while the investigations for the identification and arrest of other perpetrators continue.

Thank you.”