Hellenic Police detain suspect at Athens International Airport, sixth man arrested over 2023 Craigieburn murder of Robert Issa
Manhunt ends in Athens
An Australian man wanted over a deadly drive-by shooting in Melbourne has been arrested by Greek authorities at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, marking a dramatic development in the transnational investigation into the 2023 killing of Robert Issa.
Greek masthead, Kathimerini, Victoria’s Herald Sun and others have reported that the 24-year-old suspect – the sixth man arrested in connection with the case – was taken into custody late on Wednesday, July 31, by officers of the Hellenic Police’s organised crime division. Acting on intelligence, Greek authorities intercepted the man before he could board a flight.
He was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by Australian authorities and is now facing extradition proceedings in Athens.
According to police in both countries, the man is alleged to have been involved in the targeted drive-by shooting of 27-year-old Issa, who was gunned down in broad daylight while sitting in a white Mercedes in the car park of Craigieburn Central shopping centre, in Melbourne’s north, on October 6, 2023. His friend Eric Catanese was seriously injured in the attack.
The gunmen, allegedly including the man arrested in Athens, fled the scene in a stolen black Range Rover, which was later found torched on Broad Street in Westmeadows, according to Victorian police.
Killing is said to be linked to Melbourne’s gangland tobacco war
The incident was one of the most brazen gang-related shootings in recent Melbourne history. The attack has been linked to escalating tensions in the city’s illegal tobacco trade and gangland underworld.
The arrest in Athens came just hours before Victorian police executed coordinated raids across Melbourne, arresting five men—aged between 26 and 33—from Kew, Fawkner, Mickleham, and Pascoe Vale. The men were later charged with murder, attempted murder, and arson-related offences. All have been remanded in custody and are due back in court on December 7.
At the Craigieburn crime scene, the passenger side of Issa’s car was riddled with bullet holes, and eyewitnesses recalled that shots rang out around 3 pm on a Saturday. Police believe the attackers approached the vehicle on foot before opening fire.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, from Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad, described the men arrested so far as likely “foot soldiers” and said investigators are still pursuing those suspected of orchestrating the hit.
“This shooting was incredibly violent and it played out in a shopping centre car park in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday,” Thomas said to NewsCorp media.
Robert Issa was believed to have been closely associated with a Comanchero-linked figure suspected of involvement in a string of retaliatory fire-bombings across Melbourne. Police have stated that Catanese is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Police cooperation between Australia and Greece intensifies
Just hours after the Athens arrest, another potential witness, or associate, Athan Boursinos, 21, was shot in the leg outside his home on Epping Road in Wollert, in Melbourne’s north, as he was preparing to attend court. That incident is now under investigation and may be linked to the Issa case.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Australia’s Attorney-General confirmed, “The Government can confirm that an individual was arrested in Greece on 31 July 2025 under an INTERPOL notice made on Australia’s behalf. As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further.”
Greek prosecutors are currently reviewing Australia’s extradition request. If approved, the man could be returned to Melbourne to face multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and criminal damage by fire.
Greek and Australian authorities continue to liaise closely on the investigation.
