Arrest of 37-year-old Palestinian in Crete over plan to attack cruise ship
Officials from the National Intelligence Service and Counter-Terrorism Directorate have arrested a 37-year-old from Gaza in Agios Nikolaos, accused of being a Hamas member who planned an attack on Israeli targets in Europe.
Arrest of suspected Hamas member in Crete — cruise ship likely target
Officials from the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the Directorate for Combating Special Violent Crimes arrested a 37-year-old of Palestinian origin in Agios Nikolaos, Crete yesterday evening, as part of an investigation into terrorist activity. According to Philenews, the suspect originates from the Gaza Strip and is accused of being a member of the terrorist organisation Hamas.
The charges he faces include training and movement with the aim of supporting terrorist activities, as well as planning an attack against Israeli targets in a European country. Authorities believe that a likely target was a cruise ship, possibly involving the use of explosives.
Stage of preparation — materials had already been ordered
According to the same information, the plan had not progressed beyond the stage of gathering materials: the 37-year-old is believed to have ordered some of the necessary materials, but did not have the opportunity to use them. Authorities judge that he did not yet possess the necessary means to move to the next phase of execution.
The suspect is believed to have admitted that he had contacts with other persons and participated in activities aimed at creating the appropriate mechanisms for carrying out a terrorist attack. At the time of his arrest he was alone.
Links to Cyprus — a telephone led investigations to Crete
According to information from Cretalive, the 37-year-old lived in the Agios Nikolaos area for the past nearly two years and worked at a hotel unit. He had no family in Crete, maintained a low profile, and was legally in the country.
The operation was organised following coordination between the EYP and the Counter-Terrorism Service, utilising information from Cyprus. Recent arrests had preceded this there in cases connected with Hamas terrorist activity in Jerusalem. During the Cypriot investigation a mobile telephone was identified that functioned as a connecting element and led the services to Agios Nikolaos.
Searches in Crete and Athens — laboratory equipment seized
As part of the operation, searches were carried out at residences in both Crete and Athens. Authorities seized mobile telephones, a laptop, data storage devices, bank cards and laboratory equipment. The findings are expected to be examined in the Police's specialised laboratories.
The 37-year-old is expected to be brought before the competent prosecutor. Investigations are in full progress in order to determine the full scope of his activities and all his connections both within and outside Greece.
Source: Philenews