A ring that committed extortions in shops, explosions, arson, beatings, as well as buying and selling drugs in various areas of Attica, while its members also participated in fan incidents, was dismantled by the police.

They beat and burned shops

In particular, following a methodical investigation by the Extortion Prosecution Department of the Attica Security Directorate, a criminal organization was dismantled whose members committed extortions in health care stores, explosions, arson, bodily harm, forgery, accepting and disposing of crime products, theft and drug trafficking.

How they acted – The bravos and fan episodes

According to the Director of the Security Directorate of Attica, Major General Photios Duitsi, as it emerged its members were active in various areas of Attica, providing “protection” to shops of health interest and extorting various sums of money from their owners on a weekly or monthly basis .

In addition, it was found that a wide range of employment of the members of the criminal organization was guarding events, securing employees, intervening in any incidents that may occur between patrons, controlling access to the areas where various events take place, acting as intermediaries in resolving personal or other disputes between persons by threats or use of violence on behalf of their principal, etc.

17 arrests – 32 more are included in the file that was created

In order to dismantle the criminal organization, a coordinated police operation was carried out in the morning hours of July 14, 2024, during which -17- people were arrested, of which -3- are already locked up in Detention Centers, while in the case file that was formed, there are also -32- who were not arrested in the absence of the conditions of the autoforos.

78 extortions have been solved mainly in restaurants, coffee bars and nightclubs – 5 shop and vehicle arsons – 3 explosions at a petrol station, a house and a shop, as well as a case of personal injury – An entire arsenal, drugs and a lot of money have been found

From the investigation so far by the Extortion Prosecution Department, -78- extortions of healthcare stores, -5- arsons, of which -1- a vehicle, -1- an explosion at a gas station and -1- a house as well as – 1- a case of bodily harm, while during the investigations carried out, among other things, literally an entire arsenal, quantities of narcotics and large sums of money were found.

What is alarmingly noted as their particular characteristic is the case-by-case participation of members of the criminal organization in incidents between fans of a football team, such as those that took place last Saturday outside the stadium on Alexandras Avenue, either in exchange for some benefits, or for the sovereignty , or to cause “damage” to members of another Criminal Organization, which participated in the specific “gang” incidents.

Blackmail ring

“Its members steadfastly and decisively sought the replacement of the social role and official duties of the Greek Police, with the obvious aim and purpose of making all kinds of shopkeepers and other interested parties join the Criminal Organization “for the settlement of any issue” and not to the Hellenic Police, as a Public Organization of the Hellenic State. That is why we urge our fellow citizens who are active in health care stores, entertainment centers and any kind of related professional activity, who receive threats and blackmail from anyone, to inform the competent Police services and not to succumb to these situations”, characteristically stated the Director of the Attica Security Directorate.

As explained by Greek Police Spokesman, Police Officer II Constantias Dimoglidou with regard to those arrested, it is about 11 nationals and 6 foreigners, while a case file was filed against them for the -as the case may be- offenses of criminal organization, explosion, manufacture and possession of explosive and incendiary materials, damage to foreign property, extortion, forgery of certificates, accepting and disposing of proceeds of crime, bodily harm, theft, as well as for violations of weapons and drug laws.

In addition, the case file also includes -32- people who cooperated with the criminal organization for other crimes on a case-by-case basis.

Blackmail ring

They recommended a “team” from at least early September 2023

A systematic investigation preceded, in the context of which, it was determined that members of the organization formed a “group” at least from the beginning of September 2023 with the main purpose of blackmailing owners of health stores, so that under the pretext “provide protection” to pay them sums of money on a weekly or monthly basis.

In addition, it emerged that during their action, they also committed other acts such as arson, explosions, beatings, thefts and drug trafficking aiming to confirm their dominance in the areas where they operate.

It was found that they systematically provided security services to natural persons as “bodyguards”often settling personal disputes of persons by threat or use of force in favor of their agent.

In fact, they had expanded their activity, simultaneously participating in incidents between fans of teamseither for a fee, or with the purpose of causing “damage” to members of another criminal organization participating in fan incidents.

In particular, as it was found, -4- of the members of the organization participated in incidents that took place outside a football stadium in an area of ​​Athensevening hours of July 13, 2024, resulting in their arrest for violation of sports legislation.

They were acting against each other and for their own benefit

It is further worth noting that, in addition to the above criminal acts committed under its regime, members of the organization also acted alone and for their own benefit. In particular, a leading member of the organization transported stolen motorcycles to a workshop and either disassembled them to sell spare parts, or altered their characteristics, while another member trafficked narcotics.

In order to deconstruct the organization, a coordinated police operation was carried out in the morning hours of Sunday, July 14, 2024, in the context of which its 14 members were arrested.

What did the investigations find?

Blackmail ring

More specifically, in physical searches as well as in searches carried out in homes, and vehicles, among others, were found and confiscated:

  • -2- rifles, -8- pistols, -2- revolvers,
  • -471- firearm cartridges and -91- flash cartridges,
  • -11- grenades,
  • -3- swivel parts,
  • air pistol and many metal pellets,
  • -2- flash guns,
  • flare gun, with -9- flares,-3- firecrackers,
  • -6- iron fists, -2- wooden bats, metal rod (baseball), -3- collapsible gloves,
  • -2- crowbars and sledgehammer,
  • -14- firecrackers of pyrotechnic composition with a wick, -4- firecrackers,
  • -11- knives, short folding knives, -2- folding knives,
  • -3- katana type swords and sword and -2- metal martial arts stars,
  • -6- precision scales,
  • -7- improvised packages containing the narcotic substance cocaine with a total gross weight of 800 grams,
  • -3- nylon packages, containing raw cannabis, with a total gross weight of -1,790- grams,
  • -2- plastic packages containing raw cannabis, in rock form, with a total gross weight of -428- grams,
  • tab containing fourteen -14- tablets,
  • cigarette possibly consisting of raw Indian hemp,
  • -24- improvised packages, containing raw cannabis, total gross weight -80.8- grams,
  • multitude of nylon packages,
  • -21- glass vials, -18- powder vials, -10- water vials, -4- butane vials, -5- gas ampoules, -10- vials and -2- boxes of -8- vials,
  • -2- laptops, USB STICK portable storage medium, -36- mobile phones and memory card,
  • chain-chain with a gold-colored cross,
  • internal pistol holster,armpit holster,gun holster,
  • -3- bulletproof vest, windproof jacket, pair of sports shoes and -2- full face, camouflage silicone mask,
  • lots of documents, various keys, license plate, pair of license plates,
  • notebook with listed areas, names, sums of money and proof of rent payment,
  • car headlight,
  • vehicles and
  • the total amount of money of 248,090 euros.

From the investigation so far, -78- extortions in health shops, mainly restaurants, coffee bars and nightclubs, -5- arson of shops and vehicles, -3- explosions at a gas station, house and shop, as well as a case of bodily harm have been solved .

Specifically, the participation of members of the organization occurred in the following cases:

  • Grenade explosion on 05-09-2023 at the entrance of an apartment building in Athens,

As it emerged from the investigation, two organized team fans live in the apartment building in question.

  • Explosions – arson in steakhouses with the same brand in Maroussi and Nea Ionia on 09-09-13-2023,

In the early morning hours of 09-09-2023 two of the members of the organization broke the glass door of the steakhouse in Marousi and then activated and threw an Improvised Incendiary Explosive Device inside it, which exploded causing a fire and serious material damage damage to the store.

Almost at the same time, two other members of the organization, wearing helmets and riding a motorcycle, approached the steakhouse in Nea Ionia on foot.

One of them threw a stone breaking the glass window of the store and then activated and threw an Improvised Incendiary Explosive Device inside it, which exploded resulting in a fire and serious property damage, while the other member immobilized an employee of the store by ordering firearm.

Four days later, specifically on 13-09-2023, two people wearing motorcycle helmets, riding a motorcycle, approached the grill shop in Marousi and after getting off it, they entered the store and one of the two members surrounded the floor and the walls with flammable material. table seats of the shop and caused an extensive fire resulting in serious material damage.

As a result of these actions, no one was injured, but there was a danger to people, as there were employees inside the stores.

  • Arsons in a canteen in Ano Liosia on 16-11-2023 and a truck in Nea Ionia on 09-03-2024,
  • Explosion of an Improvised Incendiary Explosive Device at a mixed fuel station in Piraeus on 08-03-2024,
  • Bodily injuries to -2- patrons of a store in Nea Smyrni on 18-05-2024 as a result of which one of them lost consciousness,
  • Explosion at a restaurant in Artemisa on 06-04-2024,

In the early hours of the morning, members of the organization caused an explosion with an Improvised Incendiary Explosive Device in a restaurant, which caused extensive material damage to it.

Known to the Authorities

It is noted that the majority of the members of the organization in the past have concerned the authorities for various crimes, such as criminal organization, drugs, extortion, theft, forgeries, etc.

The arrested were taken to the competent prosecutor’s office, while the investigation in order to fully investigate the scope of the criminal activity of the members of the organization, continues.

The statements of the Director of the Attica Security Directorate, Major General Fotios Duitsis and the Spokesman of the Hellenic Police, Constable II Constantias Dimoglidou regarding the dismantling of the criminal organization: