A total of -7- people were arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Service (D.A.E.B.) on the basis of relevant warrants, for their -as the case may be- involvement in two different cases of arson, which took place in the center of Athens, on May 15, 2024 in a store and hotel of Israeli interests and on June 18, 2024 in a synagogue.

They are 2 Greeks, 3 Iranians and 2 Afghans.

In particular, as emerged from the investigation, a 46-year-old man of Afghan origin and a 36-year-old man of Iranian origin, as well as a 25-year-old citizen, having as an accomplice a 44-year-old man of Iranian origin, in the early hours of May 15, caused a fire in a building in the center of Athens, using an improvised incendiary device, where a health store and a hotel are co-located.

In the second case, a 44-year-old citizen and a 26-year-old of Afghan origin, having as an accomplice a 30-year-old of Iranian origin, in the early hours of June 18, approached the central entrance of a building -also in the center of Athens-, which houses a synagogue, in the early hours of June 18 on a stolen two-wheeled motorcycle and caused a fire by throwing flammable material in it.

The arrested persons are charged with – as the case may be – arson with intent which could result in a danger to a person, with racist characteristics as accomplice, manufacturing and possession of incendiary devices which could cause a danger to a person, as an accomplice, distinguished case of damage committed with arson and racial slurs as an accomplice, theft as an accomplice and unlawful possession of an air gun.

Those arrested were taken to the competent prosecuting authority, while the evidence seized in the context of the searches in the house and cell of the detention center was sent to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for laboratory examination.

It is noted that, of those arrested, five were remanded in custody and two – a Greek woman and an Afghan man – were released with restrictive conditions.