Criminal organisation of Panathinaikos supporters: 10 arrests for drugs, extortion and attacks
Ten members of an organised criminal group of Panathinaikos supporters were arrested on Wednesday 1 July in Western Attica and Corinthia. The organisation was active in drug trafficking, extortion and targeted attacks.
Dismantling of criminal organisation of supporters in Attica and Corinthia
Ten members of a criminal organisation of organised Panathinaikos supporters were arrested in the early morning hours of Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in a coordinated operation by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime in Western Attica and Corinthia. According to reports from Google News GR — Crime (el), the case file involves a total of a further 29 identified and unknown individuals, as well as 7 parents for negligent supervision of their minor children.
Serious charges and extensive case file
The prosecutor initiated criminal prosecution for formation and participation in a criminal organisation, robbery, dangerous and serious bodily harm, extortion, arson, damage to others' property, violations of sports legislation, as well as violations of weapons and narcotics legislation. The case file also includes organised supporters of other sports teams, although there is no indication of their membership in this specific organisation.
Structure and operation of the organisation
According to a police statement, the organisation did not have a strictly hierarchical structure, but operated with discrete roles and individuals who exercised guiding influence over other members. At least since August 2025, members developed continuous criminal activity with characteristics of a structured organisation, following a multi-month investigation by the Subdirectorate for Combating Organised Sports Violence.
They used a supporter club venue as their "base", which operated as an ostensibly legitimate movement. Members moved about in an organised manner with their features concealed and used wooden sticks, crowbars, metal objects, hammers, flares and torches for attacks, with the aim of gaining dominance over supporters of other teams.
Drug trafficking network
The organisation's activities were not limited to supporter violence. Members had formed an independent criminal group for the procurement, storage and distribution of cocaine, raw cannabis, pink cocaine and ecstasy in Attica and other areas of the country. Leadership members supplied the substances to lower-ranking members, who then resold them in entertainment venues, private gatherings, sports facilities, school units and a detention facility.
To ensure collection of monetary debts from the trafficking, members made threats, carried out extortions and acts of violence. Police also established their involvement in at least two arson incidents, which were carried out with the aim of exerting pressure or settling debts.
Targeted attacks that were solved
Within the framework of the same investigation, a series of specific incidents was solved:
On 28 August 2025, members of the organisation gathered in an organised manner in the Kolonos area and attacked supporters of a rival team, resulting in serious injury to a member of the organisation itself.
On 27 and 29 September 2025, following the conclusion of football matches, approximately 30 perpetrators with concealed features attacked departing fans, causing damage to vehicles and forcibly taking personal items. On 23 September 2025 a pre-arranged confrontation ("meeting") between supporter groups, which had been agreed in advance, was established.
On 4 March 2026, a group of perpetrators attacked a foreigner, caused him serious bodily harm and took his motorcycle and personal items, which were found later with extensive damage.
On 23 March 2026, at a sports facility, organised supporters from different teams clashed using flares, fire extinguishers and other objects.
Searches in 14 residences — breach of restraining conditions
During searches carried out in 14 residences, at a supporter club venue and in means of transport, with the assistance of judicial officials and police detection dogs (K-9), relevant items and substances were found and seized.
Police also established that some leadership members of the organisation repeatedly breached restraining conditions that had been imposed on them by the judicial authorities, continuing to attend sports events, actively participate in club activities and become involved in new criminal acts.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)