Greek police detain Palestinian man on Crete over alleged Hamas links
Greek authorities arrested a 37-year‑old Palestinian electrician on Crete on suspicion of planning attacks and belonging to Hamas, linking the case to a broader investigation involving four Palestinians detained in Cyprus.
Police on the Greek island of Crete arrested a 37‑year‑old Palestinian man on Sunday on suspicion of planning attacks and having ties to Hamas. The suspect, an electrician who has lived in Crete for about a year, is also being investigated for traveling abroad for training. Searches of residences in Crete and Athens yielded mobile phones, a laptop, external hard drives and bank cards. The man is expected to appear before a magistrate later on Sunday.
According to police, the suspect placed an online order for chemicals that could be used to manufacture explosives. Authorities said his arrest is connected to the detention of four Palestinian men in Cyprus who face terrorism‑related charges and are alleged members of a criminal organization. Greek officials indicated the suspect communicated with one of the Cypriot detainees and traveled with him to Malaysia for explosives‑making training using commercially available chemicals.
Cypriot law enforcement initially detained two Palestinians on May 22 after intelligence assessments uncovered material suitable for bomb production in two residences. Two additional Palestinian men were taken into custody on May 29 as part of the same probe.