The 31-year-old man arrested for the explosion in Ampelokipoi has been sent to prison, denying any involvement in terrorist acts and organizations. He testified regarding a series of felonies, and immediately after his testimony, with the agreement of the investigator and prosecutor, he was deemed to be in pre-trial detention.
According to reports, in the memorandum submitted to the investigator, the accused stated, among other things, the following:
“I categorically deny all the acts attributed to me. I voluntarily presented myself to the police as soon as I became aware of the explosion at the house on Arkadia Street, and I want to clarify my relationship to the matter.”
Continuing, the 31-year-old referred to the issue of the keys to the apartment on Arkadia Street, but he did not provide clear answers regarding this matter. Essentially, he claimed that he and his co-defendant, his 30-year-old girlfriend, obtained the keys from the mother of the apartment owner, but he does not know what happened to them afterward.
Details from the Accused’s Memorandum
Specifically, in his memorandum, the accused stated: “My involvement in the case is limited to the keys to the house on Arkadia Street, which my girlfriend (now also a co-defendant) picked up from the mother of the apartment owner on October 22, 2024.
I accompanied her there, and we both introduced ourselves to… (the mother of the apartment owner) (whose name I learned from the case file) with our names. I do not know to whom or when the keys were given. Subsequently, a few days later, my girlfriend asked me to call the (mother of the apartment owner) to arrange for the return of the keys.
I suspect that those to whom the keys were given made copies, although I cannot know for certain. I indeed contacted (the apartment owner) on October 31, 2024, regarding the return of the keys. Later that same day, while I was still at work, I was informed by my girlfriend that something had happened at the house on Arkadia Street, although she did not know many details.
The fact that I was at work is evidenced by electronic records on my laptop, which has been seized, the records of my employer, my supervisor (…), and my colleagues (…) and (…), as well as other colleagues and associates. Later, realizing the seriousness of the situation and that, according to the media, an explosive device had detonated resulting in one death and one injury, I panicked and sought a lawyer for advice, and then I presented myself to the police, where I was subsequently arrested.
I have no connection to the explosive device, the weapons, or the items found in that house; I was not even aware that the deceased (…) and (…) were there, and I have no connection to any organization.”
The 31-year-old was escorted to the courts early this morning under heavy police presence.
Charges Against the Other Defendants
In total, the prosecutor’s office has filed criminal charges against the three defendants in the case for four felonies and two misdemeanors.
It should be noted that charges have also been filed against the 33-year-old who is hospitalized under guard at “Evangelismos,” as well as against the girl with whom the 31-year-old was in a relationship, whom he refers to in his memorandum as his girlfriend.
The latter, after a warrant was issued against her, was arrested and taken to court today. However, she requested and was granted a postponement to testify next Thursday.
The offenses against the three defendants involve, depending on the case, forming and joining a terrorist organization, terrorist acts related to the manufacture and possession of explosives, terrorist acts involving the procurement of explosive materials, and an explosion with potential intent that could endanger human lives. Additionally, the charges include two misdemeanors for damage to property and illegal possession of weapons.
