Extortion gang with hand grenades in Athens: 5 arrests, Albanian criminal kingpin
Greek Police dismantled a criminal group that was extorting shopkeepers in central Athens with hand grenade attacks. Five people were arrested, while four others are implicated from prison.
Dismantling of extortion gang in central Athens – Three hand grenade attacks
Police dismantled a criminal organisation that was extorting shopkeepers in central Athens, arresting 5 people in Attica during a large-scale operation in the early morning hours, according to In.gr.
The case file includes four other people already serving prison sentences. Members of the gang are alleged to be involved in extortion, hand grenade explosions and attempted murder.
The mastermind and his accomplices
A known Albanian criminal appears to be the head of the organisation, a leading member of what is known as the Albanian mafia of prisons, who is alleged to have given orders for attacks on shops from inside the prison. The other three detained defendants are alleged to be a Roma of Albanian descent and two Egyptians.
Three hand grenade attacks – the incidents
The investigations clarified three attacks on cafés in the districts of Saint Panteleimon and Omonia.
In the early morning of 8 September, two attacks occurred within half an hour of each other. At 4.25, an unknown perpetrator broke the window of a café at 70 Acharnes Street, near Omonia, using a grate from a manhole, and threw a hand grenade inside, which detonated. At 4.55, a similar attack occurred at a café on Methymna Street, near Amerikis Square.
In the early morning of 5 October, a further attack followed on the Acharnes Street shop, however the defensive-type hand grenade did not detonate.
Under investigation and arson attack in Nea Ionia
It is also being investigated whether the same group was involved in an arson attack on 29 September at a café in Nea Ionia. The fire destroyed the shop completely, whilst flames spread to the upper floors of the apartment building, causing damage to nine flats.
Law enforcement authorities knew early on that the Albanian criminal was in a position to coordinate criminal activities outside prison. Investigations are continuing and official announcements are expected.
Source: In.gr