Thessaloniki organizer arrested after supercar rally violates waterfront permit

supercar rally Thessaloniki illegal racing Zero2Rally police arrest

Police in Thessaloniki have arrested the organizer of a supercar event following reports of dangerous driving on the city's New Waterfront. The incident occurred during the Zero2Europe 2026 rally, organized by Zero2Rally, which traveled from Budapest through Bucharest and Sofia to Greece.

While the Thessaloniki Municipality had granted permission for the high-performance vehicles to park in a specific area in front of the Makedonia Palace hotel for display purposes, the permit did not authorize driving or racing on the pedestrian waterfront. Social media videos surfaced showing luxury cars accelerating at high speeds on the pavement and performing maneuvers on Leoforos Megalou Alexandrou.

Deputy Mayor Giorgos Dimarelos condemned the actions as ‘images of shame,’ stating that the municipality would pursue legal action against those responsible for the risk and disturbance. The organizer, represented by a foreign national, was taken into custody and is expected to face judicial proceedings.

Entities

Giorgos Dimarelos · Macedonia Palace · Makedonia Palace · Municipality of Thessaloniki · New Waterfront · Thessaloniki · Thessaloniki Municipality · Zero2Rally

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The organizer of the supercar event was arrested. www.enikos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.newsit.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The arrest was prompted by video footage showing a luxury vehicle driving at high speeds on the New Waterfront. www.enikos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.newsit.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The permit did not allow for behaviors that turn the waterfront into a racing track. www.enikos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.newsit.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The event permit was limited to the parking and stationary display of luxury vehicles in front of the Macedonia Palace hotel. www.enikos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.newsit.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] A driver was recorded performing maneuvers and drifting on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue. www.evima.gr · www.zougla.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The event organizer has been identified. www.evima.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Municipality is cooperating with the Police to take legal action against the responsible parties. www.evima.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Videos show luxury cars driving at high speeds on the pedestrian pavement of the New Waterfront in Thessaloniki. www.evima.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The permit granted for the antique car event was strictly for parking and did not allow for driving or high-speed maneuvers. www.evima.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The Mayor of Thessaloniki has requested an investigation to identify those responsible for the incidents. www.zougla.gr