Greek Authorities Arrest 33 Over Recent Wildfire Arsons

Greek authorities arrested 33 people between July 29 and August 2 on arson‑related offences tied to a series of wildfires across the country. Thirty suspects were charged with negligent arson and three with intentional arson, and 22 administrative fines totalling €70,138 were imposed.

Key investigations linked the Krya Vrysi fire in Rethymno to a power‑distribution line, leading to the arrest of the local HEDNO (DEDDIE) network manager. On Paros, the landfill fire prompted the detention of the island’s mayor, the deputy mayor for sanitation, the waste‑management contractor and a municipal garbage‑truck driver. In Argolis, a farming couple was arrested after a tractor mulcher sparked a blaze. The Boeotia fire near a wind farm was traced to an electricity transmission line, not the turbines. Finally, a repeat offender was arrested for deliberately igniting a fire on Kefalonia that burned over 600 hectares.

Specialist teams from the Directorate for Arson Crime Investigation continue forensic work in Rethymno, Argolis and Boeotia.