The two young men, aged 18 and 22, accused of a knife attack on a 32-year-old man in Elefsina last Thursday, have been remanded in custody. During questioning before the investigating authorities, the two defendants, who face attempted murder charges, reportedly claimed that the 32-year-old had attacked them first while armed with a knife.

Both men denied intending to injure the 32-year-old, describing the altercation as an incident in which they had tried to defend themselves against an attack they claimed had been launched by the victim.

‘I stabbed him in the legs to save my friend,’ 18-year-old says

According to reports, the 18-year-old described an argument with the 32-year-old, claiming that the latter “struck my friend with a sharp object”.

He reportedly told investigators that he was the one who injured the 32-year-old in the legs, while insisting that he had no intention of killing him.

“Not with the intention of taking his life, but in self-defence and, above all, so that I could get my friend away from him, because I knew the 32-year-old was a professional boxer and I was afraid,” he reportedly said.

‘The 32-year-old had the knife,’ 22-year-old claims

The 22-year-old defendant reportedly claimed that he had tried to protect himself after the 32-year-old attacked him and struck him in the face. He also maintained that neither of the two young men had been carrying a knife and that they had no intention of attacking anyone.

“There was a fight. The 32-year-old had the knife. During the scuffle, his knife fell, and what happened happened,” he reportedly told investigators.

Despite their claims that they had acted in self-defence, both defendants were remanded in custody after their statements had been completed.