Greece warns of possible Hamas attacks in Europe after arrest in Crete
Greek authorities have arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian who admitted to preparing a terrorist attack against Israeli targets after receiving training in Malaysia.
Greece warns of possible Hamas attacks in Europe after arrest in Crete
The Greek government has issued a warning that the Palestinian organisation Hamas may be planning attacks on European territory, based on the confessions of a suspect arrested on Saturday on the island of Crete. The individual, a 37-year-old Palestinian citizen, admitted to preparing a terrorist attack against Israeli targets in a European country.
According to Greek Minister of Civil Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, the arrested man stated that he had received training in Malaysia and was preparing to carry out a terrorist act. The government official emphasised that the suspect was not acting alone, suggesting the existence of an operational network.
The Palestinian citizen, originally from the Gaza Strip, arrived in Greece in 2023, where he was granted political asylum. He subsequently travelled to Germany and then to Malaysia, where he is reported to have attended a Hamas training camp. Upon returning to Crete, he worked as an electrician at a hotel until his arrest.
Authorities suspect that the group's plans could have been targeting an Israeli cruise ship scheduled to arrive at the Greek island. Additionally, the suspect had rented an apartment in Athens, where police found laboratory equipment and chemical products that could be used for manufacturing explosives.
The arrest was the result of cooperation between various secret services and intelligence agencies. The operation was carried out weeks after Cypriot police arrested two Palestinian citizens on suspicion of terrorism. One of them, 38 years old, is reported to have organised and financed the arrested man's trip from Greece to Malaysia to receive training in explosives.
Source: Correio da Manhã
Source: Correio da Manhã