Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
By Yannis Souliotis
The 37-year-old, who was arrested yesterday in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, told investigators that he is a member of Hamas, that he had been in contact with the individuals arrested in Cyprus, and that they were planning a mass-casualty attack against targets connected to Israeli interests.
The man, who was legally employed and living in hotel accommodations with other workers, said during questioning that he had not yet built a bomb. However, he admitted that he had ordered materials online that could be used to manufacture explosives. During a search of the apartment where he permanently lived in the Patissia district of Athens, investigators found a precision scale and a glass measuring device that appeared to have been purchased recently, as the original packaging had not yet been removed. Authorities also recovered digital evidence that is expected to undergo further forensic examination.
How Greek intelligence tracked the Palestinian suspect arrested as a Hamas member
The 37-year-old is originally from the Gaza Strip. He is married and has three children. According to his statement, he traveled to Malaysia, where he received training in the preparation of explosives.
He was arrested at 5:00 a.m. yesterday. His questioning concluded at 7:00 p.m., and he has remained in custody ever since.
Authorities say the connection between the 37-year-old and the suspects arrested in Cyprus, who are also alleged to have been planning attacks against Israeli targets in both Cyprus and elsewhere in the European Union, emerged about a week ago. The link was uncovered through the analysis of evidence, including mobile phones and a laptop computer, as part of an operation code-named "ONTIN," named after a Scandinavian deity.
The suspect had been under surveillance during that period. Investigators noted that he showed little suspicious activity, largely because he was working a seasonal job at a hotel.
Possible plans for an attack in Greece
According to authorities, the suspect was not yet in a position to carry out an attack. Even so, investigators were concerned that he might attempt an operation in Greece in the near future, whether in Crete or elsewhere in the country.
