37-year-old Palestinian remanded in custody in Crete on Hamas-related charges
A 37-year-old Palestinian has been remanded in custody in Crete on allegations of involvement in a terrorist organisation, and the manufacture and use of explosives, following his arrest in Aghios Nikolaos. He denies the charges.
37-year-old Palestinian remanded in custody in Crete on Hamas-related charges
Following his appearance before the examining magistrate, the 37-year-old Palestinian man arrested recently in Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, was ordered remanded in custody. The defendant faces grave charges connected with terrorist activity.
According to Naftemporiki, the man denies being a terrorist. Criminal proceedings have been brought against him for forming and joining a terrorist organisation, acquiring training in the manufacture and use of explosives for terrorist acts, and for travelling with the purpose of undergoing training for the commission of terrorist acts. He additionally faces two misdemeanour charges.
His lawyer, Spyros Pantazis, argued that his client is a victim of conspiracy. In a public statement, he said that the defendant's personality and way of thinking are far removed from the criminal profile of a terrorist. The counsel emphasised that the evidence gathered does not constitute an unbroken chain of guilt, but rather presents contradictions and gaps. According to him, the evidentiary data reveal interpretative gaps that cannot be overlooked.
The case has attracted significant attention from Greek security authorities, as it represents a rare instance of an individual being linked to a terrorist organisation on Greek territory. The defendant will remain in prison until his trial.
Source: Naftemporiki