Armenian driver’s car catches fire during police chase in Thessaloniki

Police stopped a 40‑year‑old driver of Armenian origin on the outskirts of Thessaloniki when he attempted to flee a routine traffic check. He accelerated, performed dangerous maneuvers and his vehicle stalled, causing the engine to burst into flames. Officers had to extract him from the burning car; he resisted arrest and was taken into custody. Two packages of raw cannabis were found at the scene, which he allegedly discarded earlier. The driver did not hold a valid licence and was fined €7,325 for traffic violations; he was later transported to a hospital after feeling unwell.

The same police operation also resulted in two additional drug‑related arrests in the area: a 49‑year‑old who tried to swallow a small amount of cocaine, and a 16‑year‑old who threw a package of cannabis while fleeing an inspection. All suspects are expected to appear before the prosecutor.