New details have emerged about a 50-year-old man arrested in Larissa, central Greece, after holding his former wife hostage inside her home, threatening to set the property on fire and livestreaming the incident on social media.

In footage from the incident, the suspect is seen holding an axe and a container of flammable liquid, repeatedly saying he was prepared to set the house on fire. According to local news outlet onlarissa.gr, he also gave the woman constant orders to move around the home and onto the balcony.

Police officers spent hours negotiating with the man in an effort to gain time and defuse the situation. According to the same reports, they even suggested having coffee with him and assured him that no one intended to take him by surprise. The 50-year-old reportedly insisted on seeing specific judicial officials, whom he blamed for decisions concerning his contact with his children. At his request, a phone call was also made to a prosecutor, though this did not immediately change his stance.

The incident began when the man allegedly entered his former wife’s home in breach of restrictions that had been imposed against him. Hellenic Police said he threatened to set the house on fire, prompting a major response involving police units, a negotiator, the fire brigade and EKAB, Greece’s national ambulance service.

After a prolonged operation, the man was eventually persuaded to surrender and no injuries were reported. He was taken before the Single-Member Misdemeanour Court under fast-track proceedings, where the former wife’s lawyer requested protective measures for her client.

In court, the defendant claimed the woman was not in danger from him, saying: “I would give my heart for her to live and for me to die.”

The hearing was postponed until Friday afternoon (June 26). A defence lawyer was appointed for the accused, who remains in custody. He faces charges including domestic violence, breach of a court order and violations of weapons legislation.