Police in the northern Greek city of Katerini, arrested a 58-year-old man on Thursday in connection with the murder of a 45 year-old man. A passer-by found the victim’s charred remains behind a local cemetery in the nearby Kallithea area on Tuesday afternoon.
To date no names have been given for the suspect or the victim who Greek media had earlier reported was believed to have recently returned to Greece from Australia and was dependent on drugs.
The suspect has been charged with premeditated murder and drug possession after police found young plants and quantities of cannabis and other drugs in his home.
Police officials said the two men had met at the suspect’s house in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A heated argument had followed.
READ MORE: Violent crime in Katerini, victim reportedly recently returned to Greece from Australia
The suspect allegedly hit the 45-year-old victim and tied his hands with a rope. He then drove him to a cemetery in the Kallithea area near Katerini. It is believed that he shot the victim in the head with a shotgun, then doused him with flammable liquid and set him on fire.
It was reported that a forensic examination found that the head injury from the shooting caused the victim’s death.
Police sources reported that a short-barrelled weapon was found buried in a nearby field. Police are investigating whether the weapon was linked to the killing.
