Greek authorities have uncovered new details in an investigation into a series of suspected arson attacks in the southern region of Messenia, where three men have been arrested on deliberately setting fires, extorting local farmers and potentially abusing agricultural subsidy schemes.
The suspects—a firefighter, the president of a local community and his brother—are accused of being responsible for seven fires that broke out in agricultural and forested areas between 2024 and 2025, according to investigators.
Farmers targeted over irrigation access
According to the evidence gathered so far, the suspects demanded money from farmers in exchange for securing access to irrigation water.
Investigators claim that when farmers refused to comply, fires broke out on their properties. Authorities also state that the group was involved in other acts of property damage targeting local producers.
The three men also face accusations of repeated aggravated theft carried out jointly, as well as extortion of farmers over a period spanning roughly a decade.
Possible agricultural subsidy fraud under investigation
Authorities are also examining whether the suspects were involved in a scheme to unlawfully obtain agricultural subsidies.
According to investigators, the men allegedly forced farmers to transfer the use of their land through concession agreements, allowing the suspects to collect subsidy payments themselves.
The subsidy-related remain under investigation as authorities continue to examine the full scope of the case.
