A foreign national claiming he was carrying explosives and threatening to blow himself up outside the main police headquarters in Athens was finally arrested by responding police officers, with two objects he was carrying actually verified shortly thereafter as hand grenades
The incident caused an interruption of traffic along both directions of Alexandras Avenue in the afternoon after dusk, near the Ambelokipi metro station, as police blocked off the area.
Bomb disposal experts immediately carried out a controlled explosion of the contents of his backpack at the scene.
The suspect was identified as a Sudanese man, 48, who may be homeless. Some conflicting reports referred to a Somalian. Police later announced that the suspect had a criminal record related to drug offenses, while he was carrying a document confirming his recent release from prison.
His main demand during a stand-off was to receive a cell phone in order to make a call.
