 |
| credit ProtoThema |
Following his arrest, authorities immediately searched the young man’s home in Maroussi (northern Athens) but at the same time also looked for arms caches in the areas of Kypseli and Thisseio.
Police have not found any weapons as of yet, but it was reported that they discovered an old-styled black cell phone and two helmets. They will now search for traces of DNA from the helmets they found, as well as try to uncover as many clues as they can by tracking the cell phone.
After being arrested, the suspect was not cooperative with the Greek authorities at all, but he did reveal that he is a student of fine arts and has never been in trouble with the law. His lawyer, Ioanna Kurtovik, criticized the police over the handling of her client's arrest. At the same time she lashed out at the press saying that the reports about her client bear no relation to what has been submitted to the magistrate.
(Let us keep in mind that she was also a defence attorney for one of the November 17th terrorist organization members).
Kurtovik is entitled to defend her client, but the evidence that has been presented so far says that at the time of his arrest Staboulos was carrying a rucksack that seemed to give details of a planned terrorist strike on October 4th, the anniversary of the founding of the New Democracy party. But that is not all. Evidence associated with the explosion at the Bank of Greece in Athens in April 2014, for which Maziotis has claimed responsibility, was also discovered.
More precisely, authorities found a notepad that contained the details regarding an immanent attack in October. The main rehearsal, of this alledged attack, was meant to take place on the October 3rd, with the main attack planned for the following day.
In any case, the failed plot was hailed by the international press and in a press conference following the arrest, Public Order & Citizen Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias and ELAS Chief, Lieut. General Dimitris Tsaknakis presented details of the raid.
Kikilias said that the intended goals appear to be some kind of hit against ship-owner and Olympiacos FC chairman Evangelos Marinakis, the president of the Union of Greek Ship-owners (EEE) Theodoros Veniamis, the president of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) Theodoros Fessas and his wife Maria Tselenti, along with offices belonging to Siemens, Info Quest and ship-owning firm Capital. The New Democracy head offices are also in the same area.
Staboulos, was born on February 21, 1983 in the Athens area. The 31-year-old has no prior criminal record but appears to be associated with convicted terrorist Nikos Maziotis.
Police officials urge citizens to contact them as quickly as possible with any information on this or any other suspect. You can contact the Greek Police Special Crimes Division by dialing 1014 and 10414 (if in Greece) under conditions of complete anonymity and confidentiality.
Lastly, a little before authorities discovered the hideout in Vyronas, the counter-terrorism unit had conducted combined operations in Athens and Thessaloniki which resulted in the arrest of five men (one of whom is an Albanian national) and a woman. The arrests were unrelated to the operation in Vyronas (but certainly are very murky for Greece's national security).
One suspect was found to have a counterfeit identity card along with scores of ammunition, electronic equipment, two receivers and a transmitter used to activate explosives. While investigating another suspect, authorities found him in possession of a hand grenade, Kalashnikov assault riffle, a revolver, two air guns and 5,000 euros in cash. Finally authorities recovered electronic equipment and a small quantity of cannabis from the home of the 30-year-old Albanian man.
Combined Reports From - ProtoThema, ANA-MPA, Newsit, enikos
Posts
