Five men have been arrested by Greece’s counter-terrorism squad under suspicions of participating in a far-right criminal group, and involvement in recent arson attacks and explosions against left-wing activists and migrants.

According to an official police statement, the anti-terrorism squad made the arrests on Tuesday after raiding eight homes, six of which were in Athens.

Police confiscated Molotov cocktails, 50 kilograms of explosives, shotguns, knives, cudgels, and drugs.

Also found on the premises were flags with far-right symbolism, books, leaflets, and digital evidence.

According to a police official, the men are suspected of having been members of the Greek branch of the far-right group Combat 18, also known as C18, and Unaligned Meander Nationalists who are suspected of being behind over 30 attacks, among the targets Jewish memorials and anarchist squats.

The arrest was welcomed by Alternate Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection, Nikos Toskas who took to Twitter to express his views on the matter: “The fascist egg will not hatch in our country. Greek police are working methodically to protect society.”

More residential searches are currently underway.

The men are expected on Wednesday to appear before a prosecutor.

There has been a rise in far-right violence in Greece of late, the most recent taking place 10 days ago. Five people were injured after an anti-fascist centre in Piraeus was attacked.