A 30-year-old Egyptian national appeared before an investigating magistrate in Athens on Tuesday after being charged in connection with a plot to carry out a grenade attack.
The suspect was taken to the Evelpidon Courts complex, where he was scheduled to give testimony following his arrest last Friday afternoon in Ano Glyfada, a suburb of Athens.
According to the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.), the man had just taken possession of a defensive hand grenade and intended to attack one of five potential targets: a senior judge in the Pangrati district of Athens, a senior police officer, two journalists, or a prison employee.
Explosives and Weapons Charges
The 30-year-old faces charges of illegal possession of explosive materials, along with violations of Greece’s weapons and explosives laws.
Police said he received the grenade from a 27-year-old supplier who was already known to law enforcement. According to authorities, the supplier had previously come to the attention of the Extortion Unit in connection with a case involving drug trafficking and extortion about two years ago.
Investigators state that the 27-year-old acted as an intermediary between the arrested suspect and a 31-year-old inmate serving a life sentence, who is accused of coordinating the operation and providing the suspect with €2,500 to carry out the attack.
Investigation Continues
Officers from the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime are continuing their investigation and are searching for a fourth individual believed to have ordered the alleged attack.
According to police, investigators suspect that this individual instructed the 31-year-old inmate at Diavata Prison to organize the planned assault.
