A kosher restaurant in the central Athens suburb of Psiri was the target of a foiled terror plot orchestrated by two foreign nationals arrested as members of a terrorist network, AMNA reports.
AMNA states that, according to police sources, the two individuals taken into custody are Pakistani nationals aged 27 and 29, who had been preparing the attack for some time.
The target of the attack was Chabad House in the Athenian suburb of Psiri, which houses a kosher restaurant as well as hosting other religious services.
Greece’s Minister of Citizen Protection, Takis Theodorikakos released a statement concerning the foiled plot early this morning via social media.
“Recently, the Anti-Terrorist Service of the Hellenic Police, in collaboration with the National Intelligence Service, dismantled a terrorist organization network in which foreigners participated, who were brought before the Court this morning,” it read.
“This operation confirms once again that the security authorities of the country maintain their preparedness at a very high level, for all Greeks and all visitors to our homeland.”
AMNA reports that since mid-February the suspects were identified and located; subsequently arrested for administrative violations as the pair were residing in Greece without the appropriate legal documents.
Mobile phones, flash drives and related items were seized by Greek authorities, since sent to forensics laboratories for examination.
Investigations revealed that the two maintained frequent contact with an associate based in Iran, who directed their actions, with the promise of money so they might carry out the attack.
Greece’s Ministry of Citizen Protection released a statement outlining the particulars of the operation, stating that according to information seized, those arrested “were also looking for other persons for the best possible execution of their mission.”
“A criminal case was opened against the offenders on the morning of 28 March, with the two detainees brought before the Athens District Attorney and referred to an Investigator,” the ministry stated, adding that “investigations are continuing.”
