The incidents took place around midday on Monday, July 20, within a span of just 20 minutes, spreading fear in the heart of the Greek capital. According to authorities, the man attempted to sexually assault two women in separate incidents, displaying what witnesses described as striking boldness.
One of the victims described the attack in an interview with Star TV:
“I had left Panormou and was walking toward Ampelokipi. I was on Kifisias Avenue looking at my phone when, all of a sudden, he came up behind me. He put his arm around my shoulders and tried to grab my breast. I pushed him away and shouted, ‘Get away from me. Don’t touch me. Leave.’ But he wouldn’t go.”
She explained how she managed to escape:
“At that moment I thought, either I fight him, but I didn’t know if he had a knife or a gun, so I decided not to take the risk. I went into a flower shop to get away.”
Earlier, the same man had allegedly targeted another woman—a mother—on Lakonias Street, also in Ampelokipi. According to reports, he followed her, shouted obscene remarks, and committed indecent acts in front of her. Terrified, the woman sought refuge in a supermarket and called her daughter for help.
Following the assaults, the suspect reportedly continued walking through central Athens as if nothing had happened, showing no concern about his actions.
Police identified the suspect as a 21-year-old man. He is already known to authorities for previous offenses, including robbery, theft, drug-related crimes, and animal abuse.
Although he is reportedly residing in Greece illegally, authorities say he cannot currently be deported because he is subject to judicial restrictions stemming from earlier criminal proceedings. These include a ban on leaving the country and a requirement to report regularly to a local police station.
He has now been charged with repeated sexual offenses and has once again been referred to the judicial authorities.
Source: Ta Nea
