A 42-year-old man previously accused—and later acquitted—of involvement in the murder of Greek journalist Giorgos Karaivaz was found dead late Friday night in a hotel room in Arachova, central Greece.
According to early reports, Yannis Lalas was gunned down shortly after 11 p.m. on November 1 by an unknown assailant armed with a Kalashnikov rifle. Police sources said the gunman entered his hotel room and opened fire, killing Lalas instantly.
A woman who was in the room at the time called emergency services in shock, identifying the victim to authorities. Officers arriving at the scene found Lalas dead with multiple gunshot wounds consistent with automatic weapon fire.
Shortly afterward, police discovered a burned-out vehicle a short distance from the hotel, which investigators believe was used by the perpetrators to flee the scene.
Exclusive on-scene photo of the vehicle used by the shooters, courtesy of To Vima.com.
The area has been cordoned off as forensic teams collect evidence and review security camera footage.
Links to the Karaivaz Murder Case
Lalas had previously faced charges in connection with the April 2021 assassination of crime journalist Giorgos Karaivaz, a case that sent shockwaves through Greece and drew international condemnation.
He and his brother were arrested in 2023 and charged with participating in the murder but were acquitted in July 2024 due to lack of sufficient evidence.
In May 2025, Lalas survived an attempted assassination in the western Athens suburb of Ano Liosia when unknown attackers opened fire on his armored vehicle, striking it with 47 bullets. He escaped unharmed.
Authorities are now investigating whether Friday night’s killing was part of a “contract hit” linked to organized crime networks, sometimes referred to in Greece as the “Greek Mafia.”
Police Investigation and Possible Motives
Police are questioning the woman who was with Lalas at the time of the attack and are examining whether his murder was related to ongoing score-settling among criminal groups.
Police officer Stavros Balaskas told Mega TV that the incident appeared to be “a settling of scores.”
“He was a man deeply involved in the Greek underworld, facing serious charges and numerous trials,” Balaskas said. “Both he and his brother were considered high-ranking members of a criminal organization. His previous involvement in the Karaivaz case adds another layer to this story.”
The Murder of Giorgos Karaivaz
Giorgos Karaivaz, a noted crime reporter and former police correspondent was shot dead on April 9, 2021, outside his home in the Athens suburb of Alimos.
Two helmeted men on a scooter followed the 52-year-old journalist as he returned home from work. One of them fired multiple shots with an automatic handgun, killing him at close range.
The murder was widely seen as a professional execution linked to organized crime. It provoked widespread outrage in Greece and abroad.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the killing, calling it “a heinous, cowardly act” and expressing hope that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) later reported that Karaivaz had been investigating a network of criminals and police officers allegedly involved in extortion and protection rackets targeting nightlife businesses.
Greece’s press freedom record remains under scrutiny: in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index, the country ranked 89th out of 180 nations, the second lowest in Europe, with only Serbia scoring lower at 96th place.
The death of Yannis Lalas adds yet another layer of mystery to the Karaivaz case, one of the most high-profile unsolved journalist murders in Europe.
