A 37-year-old native of the Gaza Strip has been detained in Crete on suspicion of terrorism. The man has already confessed to membership in Hamas and ties to accomplices detained in Cyprus who were planning terrorist attacks against Israeli targets in the EU. This was reported by eKathimerini, according to UNN.
Details
The suspect, a native of Gaza who was legally working in Greece as a seasonal hotel worker, was in Agios Nikolaos in northeastern Crete with other employees at the time of his arrest. In his initial testimony, he stated that he had not yet constructed an explosive device but had ordered materials online that could be used to manufacture explosives.
During a search of his Athens apartment in the Patisia district, precision scales and a glass measuring cup were discovered—both items were recently purchased and were still in their packaging. Law enforcement officers are also examining digital evidence seized during the investigation.
According to the investigation, the suspect traveled to Malaysia for training in the construction of explosive devices. His wife and three children live at the family's residence in the Gaza Strip, investigators reported.
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Greek authorities linked him to the suspects in Cyprus after analyzing phones and a laptop. He was under surveillance prior to his arrest.
Official sources stated that the suspect showed almost no suspicious activity while working at the hotel and did not yet have the capability to carry out an attack at that time. However, they were concerned that he might attempt to commit an attack in the near future—either in Crete or elsewhere in Greece.
Cypriot authorities reported that two suspects detained a few days ago, who remain in custody, were also likely planning attacks on Israeli targets in Cyprus and other EU countries.