Greek police dismantle criminal gang behind arson, bombings and attempted murders in Athens

The Hellenic Police’s Organized Crime Unit announced the dismantling of a criminal organisation operating mainly in central Athens and surrounding suburbs. A joint raid on 1 July seized four foreign suspects aged 19 to 47, while the investigation’s case file lists a further ten members, nine of whom are already in detention.

Authorities allege the gang carried out a series of violent offences, including arson attacks on vehicles in Pallini and Geraka, explosions in two Athens retail locations, extortion of business owners, attempts to kill a prison officer, illegal violence against a detainee, and trafficking of approximately 856 g of methamphetamine. The group is also accused of manufacturing and possessing homemade explosive devices, firearms, knives and other weapons. Seized material included a pistol with a 12‑round magazine, three improvised explosive mechanisms, three flash‑powders, six makeshift knives, a GPS‑locating device and other assorted equipment.

The organisation is described as having a stable internal hierarchy, with a 49‑year‑old leader who was already incarcerated at the time of the raids. Prosecutors have filed charges for criminal organisation, arson, attempted explosions, extortion, illegal possession of weapons, drug offences and related crimes. The suspects are now being transferred to the appropriate prosecutorial authority.