Scenes of cinematic intensity unfolded in the early hours of Sunday along Athens-Sounio Avenue in Anavyssos, in East Attica with notorious convicted criminal Alket Rizai allegedly at the center ofthe bloody incident.
It all began shortly before 5 a.m., when, according to investigators, most customers had left a well-known beach bar and the owner had turned down the music. Alket Rizai, who was out on prison furlough from Domokos Prison, was accompanied by two friends. They went out to the parking lot and began playing loud music from their car.
The owner approached them to ask them to turn the music down, fearing that police might be called. The situation quickly spiraled out of control.
The armed confrontation and injuries
The argument quickly escalated, prompting additional members of the establishment’s security staff to come outside. During the confrontation, Rizai allegedly pulled out and loaded a handgun.
At the same time, an Afghan man, who reportedly worked as security at the establishment, also pulled a gun and fired toward Rizai. The bullets ricocheted, however, injuring two employees of the business: a 20-year-old Greek man, who suffered an ankle injury from broken glass fragments, and a 41-year-old Pakistani man, who sustained a gunshot wound that passed through his calf.
After the incident, Rizai and his companions got into their car and fled. The second armed man also disappeared from the scene and is being sought by authorities.
Analysis of video footage
When police from the Immediate Action division initially rushed to the scene following a call, they found no one there, only shell casings and scattered bloodstains. Shortly afterward, they were informed by the Kalyvia Health Center that two injured men had arrived there.
In the statements that followed, those involved initially attempted to provide confusing and conflicting accounts of what had happened. However, an analysis of security camera footage, completed late Sunday afternoon, revealed what had happened.
The footage clearly shows the notorious criminal not only carrying a gun, but also actively taking part in the confrontation.
Greek police on high alert
The owner of the establishment has already been arrested on suspicion of giving a false statement, while the Greek police have been placed on high alert.
Because Rizai is required under the terms of his prison leave to return immediately to Domokos Prison, authorities are closely monitoring developments. If he fails to return, he will officially be declared an escaped prisoner, giving the case a new dimension.
Rizai has been charged with three homicides and is widely known for his two successful prison escapes as well as several other attempts.
