A 23-year-old man has been arrested on charges of intentional homicide in connection with the death of a 20-year-old in the east Thessaloniki district of Kalamaria, in a fatal encounter that has generated nationwide attention due to the possibility of football hooligan-related or even vigilantism.
The suspect appeared before police early in the afternoon accompanied by his lawyer and provided his version of the fatal incident, in which the young man that was stabbed is seen collapsing and taking his last breath in CCTV footage.
According to the suspect’s statement, he claimed he was attacked while passing through the area by a group of individuals who began striking him with their fists.
“I don’t know why they attacked me. I don’t know them,” he reportedly told police. He added that while he was on the ground he spotted a knife next to him—which he initially claimed did not belong to him—and picked it up to defend himself. He also claimed that he does not know whom he stabbed.
Initial press reports pointed to hooligan violence between fans of rival Thessaloniki football clubs. Still other report have the victim being part of a vigilante group that lured alleged pedophiles, using online chat rooms, to a park to assault and rob them.
Contradictions in Testimony
However, according to information broadcast by Mega Channel, the suspect later changed parts of his testimony. He reportedly told police that the attackers were three people rather than five and acknowledged that the knife had been in his possession.
He also reportedly admitted that he knew the victim, although further details about their relationship have not been made public.
Forensic Findings
Preliminary findings from the forensic examination indicate that the 20-year-old victim sustained two stab wounds: one to the left side of the chest and another to the right side of the back.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident continues.
