A 37-year-old man has been arrested in Thessaloniki after allegedly secretly filming women inside the restroom of a sports center in the eastern part of the city, police said.
The suspect was detained by officers from Greece’s Rapid Response Unit after a 45-year-old woman realized she was being filmed from the neighboring stall in the women’s bathroom.
According to police, the man had entered the restroom and used his cellphone to record the woman by holding it underneath the partition separating the stalls.
When the woman noticed him, the suspect allegedly tried to destroy the device, first throwing it into the toilet and then smashing it on the floor, authorities said.
Police later searched the man’s home, where they confiscated computers and portable digital storage devices. Investigators said an initial examination uncovered a large number of photos and videos depicting women in underwear, swimsuits and, in some cases, nude.
The material is believed to have been recorded in public places including beaches, bathrooms and on public transportation, using either a cellphone or hidden cameras.
The confiscated devices will be sent to the forensic investigations division in northern Greece for further laboratory analysis.
A case has been filed against the suspect on charges related to repeated violations of privacy laws, and he has been referred to a Thessaloniki prosecutor.
