Arsonists' mistakes led to their arrest in Thessaloniki
Police identified two members of "Anarchist Action" thanks to an umbrella, mobile phone and camera that left traces.
Arsonists' mistakes led to their arrest in Thessaloniki
The arrest of two individuals for the arson attacks in Thessaloniki, including the attack that caused the death of Vagia Nestor, became possible thanks to a series of mistakes made by the perpetrators themselves.
As reported by Skai.gr, officers from the counter-terrorism unit saw on security camera footage a couple leaving their hideout on Papadiamanth Street at 4 in the morning, carrying an umbrella despite the summer season — apparently to hide from the cameras' view. The same object had appeared in previous arson incidents in 2022, which had been attributed to the "Anarchist Action" group.
A hidden camera inside a medical clinic across from the hideout recorded the suspects' faces at very close range, while they attempted to locate it. The lens was concealed behind a special construction. The woman, aged 26, had a previous conviction with a prison sentence of 16 months, whilst the man, aged 29, participates in the Thessaloniki Anarchist Council.
Another mistake was the mobile phone that the 29-year-old threw from his vehicle window in a moment of panic. The prosecuting authorities located it and are investigating its contacts, hoping to reach the moral perpetrators. On the 26-year-old's device, a note was found with the location of a building housing the Traffic Police Directorate, a possible target for the future.
Officers do not believe that the two individuals are directly connected with those who wrote slogans on Bouldaki's house in Crete. They estimate that it is a form of solidarity without central management. The effort is now focused on linking members of the two anarchist communities in the city, so as to support the charge of terrorist organisation.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)