Three brothers wanted in connection with last Saturday’s deadly shootout in the Cretan village of Vorizia surrendered to police on Tuesday afternoon, following the issue of arrest warrants and hours of tense negotiations.
The men, aged 29, 27, and 19, gave themselves up in an area near Agia Varvara, central Crete. Their transfer to police headquarters in Heraklion was carried out under heavy security, with each brother transported separately in vans escorted by armed officers from Greece’s special forces units.
The youngest, a conscript currently serving in the military, reportedly contacted his army unit shortly after the incident to request leave. Police were able to track his movements, and after several rounds of talks, all three agreed to surrender. They are expected to appear before an investigative magistrate on Wednesday.
Emotional Farewell Before Arrest
According to reports, the brothers arranged to meet relatives at a family home to say goodbye to their mother before turning themselves in. One of the suspects had been hiding at a hotel near Heraklion, owned by a friend, who has since been arrested along with his son on charges of harboring a fugitive.
Hunt for Hidden Weapons
Authorities continue to search for the arsenal of heavy weapons used during the shootout, which left two people dead and several injured. Despite questioning, none of the suspects have clarified their roles in the attack or revealed where the weapons are hidden.
Police are reportedly searching cemeteries and roadside shrines in nearby areas, suspecting that firearms may have been concealed there.
Village Under Tight Police Guard
The small village of Vorizia, home to about 500 residents, remains under a state of high alert. More than 400 police officers are stationed in and around the area in an effort to prevent further bloodshed between the rival families involved.
Armed patrols from several units, including the EKAM, OPKE, and Tactical Police, continue to monitor the settlement around the clock. Locals say they fear reprisals, despite the strong police presence.
Two suspects—aged 25 and 31—remain under guard in hospital in Heraklion, both relatives of the 56-year-old woman killed in the attack. She had returned to the village for a memorial service for her late father when she was fatally shot. Her funeral took place on Tuesday amid heavy security in Alikianos, Chania.
Schools Remain Closed, Psychological Support Planned
Primary schools and kindergartens in Vorizia will remain closed until the end of the week, with classes held online. Students are expected to return on Monday, November 10, when a team of child psychologists and social workers will visit both Vorizia and the nearby town of Zaros to provide psychological support to children, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy.
The eight-member team includes specialists from Athens and the Hellenic Mediterranean University of Crete, working in coordination with local education officials.
Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki emphasized that restoring calm and a sense of safety in the community is a top priority before students return to classrooms. She also announced plans to relaunch “parent schools” — support programs offering guidance to families in communities affected by crises.
