Criminal organisation with 49-year-old inmate as leader dismantled – 4 arrests in Athens
The Organised Crime Directorate arrested 4 foreign members of an organisation that committed arson attacks, explosions and extortion. The leader was a 49-year-old inmate.
Four arrests of organisation members involved in arson, extortion and drugs
Four foreign nationals were arrested on Wednesday 1 July 2026 by the Organised Crime Directorate in an operation to dismantle a criminal organisation, according to Newsit.gr. The case file formed includes a total of 10 other individuals, of whom 9 are already in prison.
The four arrested individuals are aged 47, 22, 25 and 19. They face charges including participation in a criminal organisation, arson, explosion, manufacture and possession of explosive materials, violence against officials and judicial officers, extortion in conspiracy, as well as breaches of legislation concerning weapons, drugs and flares.
The leadership and direction of the organisation was held by a 49-year-old who is detained in prison. The organisation operated in central Athens and in other areas with the aim of neutralising rival groups, intimidating those who opposed them and maintaining its dominance in the areas where its activities were conducted.
In searches of residences and prison cells, the following were seized: a pistol with a magazine containing 12 rounds, 3 improvised incendiary-explosive devices, 3 flares, 6 improvised knives, 855.5 grammes of methamphetamine, 3 precision scales, a GPS device, 12 mobile phones, 4 SIM cards, 2 data storage devices, a motor vehicle and the sum of 3,450 euros.
From the investigation, the following cases have already been solved: arson and attempted explosion targeting a correctional officer on 12 November 2025, two vehicle arsons in Pallini (20 September 2025) and Gerakas (23 September 2025), a case of illegal violence targeting an inmate on 1 October 2025, shootings at a parked vehicle in Athens on 11 August 2025, as well as two explosions at shops in Athens — on 16 July 2025 with material damage and on 5 August 2025 with material damage and serious injury to the owner.
It is noted that the accused have occupied the attention of the authorities in the past for similar and other offences.
Source: Newsit.gr