A 41-year-old woman has been arrested in western Athens on suspicion of attempting to poison her estranged husband, a military doctor, after hidden cameras allegedly captured her adding an unidentified substance to food in his home. Her parents were also arrested on suspicion of acting as accomplices.

The doctor first began experiencing severe symptoms after meals in February, although he initially had no reason to suspect his wife, with whom he has a young child.

The first indication of what might be happening emerged two months ago, after the couple visited a restaurant in Athens’ northern suburbs. The doctor requested CCTV footage from the establishment and discovered that the 41-year-old had apparently secretly poured a liquid into his glass.

Determined to gather further evidence, he installed a CCTV system at his home. On Sunday afternoon (11 October), the cameras recorded the woman allegedly adding an unknown substance to food items, including a jar of honey.

Watching the footage live, the doctor immediately alerted the police and rushed to the property. He pursued the woman until officers from the DIAS motorcycle patrol unit intercepted and detained her.

Her parents were arrested a short distance away, where they were waiting in their car. A search of the vehicle uncovered 10ml of atropine, along with medical equipment, including gloves and a surgical mask. A syringe was also reportedly found.

The case has now been referred to the judicial authorities, while the substance seized has been sent to Greece’s General Chemical State Laboratory for analysis.

What is atropine?

Atropine is a pharmaceutical substance that has been used in medicine for many years and can be lifesaving in certain circumstances. Derived from alkaloids found in plants such as deadly nightshade, it works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine at specific receptors in the nervous system.

One of its principal medical uses is treating certain cases of dangerously slow heart rate, as it can increase the number of heartbeats per minute. It is also administered as an antidote for particular types of poisoning, including exposure to organophosphate pesticides and certain chemical nerve agents.

In ophthalmology, atropine is used in eye drops to dilate the pupils and for other therapeutic purposes. However, the substance is not without risks. In excessive doses, it can cause a rapid heartbeat, confusion, dangerously elevated body temperature and severe poisoning.

Its use therefore requires specific medical indications and appropriate supervision.