Eight new suspects heard in investigation into terror network targeting Jews

Published on : 03/30/2023 – 13:03

Eight new suspects from Pakistan are heard in Greece in the investigation into a terrorist network suspected of planning attacks against Jewish targets in Athens, a police source said Thursday (March 30).

“The investigation to determine if other people are involved is ongoing,” the source told AFP.

These eight new suspects had already been detained for illegal residence in Greece and would, according to the national news agency ANA, be in “close contact” with the two men arrested on Tuesday during the first crackdown by the authorities in this case.

The two Pakistanis, aged 27 and 29 and from Iran, are suspected of planning an attack on a Jewish community building, frequented by Israelis, in the center of Athens and housing a synagogue and a kosher restaurant.

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On Tuesday, Greek police spokeswoman Konstantina Dimoglidou said the “mastermind” of the operation would be “a Pakistani who lives outside of Europe”. Another police source, who wished to remain anonymous, said the person was living in Iran.

Israel accused Tehran of being behind the network and said its intelligence service, the Mossad, helped avert an attack. On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen thanked the Greek government and the National Intelligence Service (EYP) “for thwarting the terror attack against Jewish and Israeli targets.”

The Iranian embassy in Greece on Wednesday rejected any link with this case and denounced “baseless accusations”.

Ahead of Passover, a major religious holiday in early April, Greece has been placed on a list of countries subject to travel advisories issued by Israel’s National Security Council.

With AFP