Greece: 2 Arrested In Alleged Jewish Restaurant Assault Plot

Two men have been detained in Greece on terrorism-related charges, according to the police, who claim they were plotting an extreme attack on a Jewish restaurant in the heart of Athens and maybe other targets that would result in numerous civilian casualties.

Authorities stated the suspects were being detained at the police headquarters in the Greek capital and were accused of belonging to a terrorist group. A third individual was wanted for questioning and charged in absentia; he is not in Greece.

Both of the apprehended individuals were of Pakistani descent, according to government and police officials who spoke to the Associated Press. Before public statements, the authorities requested anonymity.

Upon the announcement of the arrests, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen praised the Greek government.

Cohen tweeted that “the battle against terrorism is our top priority.” Terrorism is a common adversary. “I want to applaud the Greek intelligence and security services for stopping the terrorist attack against Jewish and Israeli targets,” the speaker said.

The two suspects allegedly entered Greece illegally from neighboring Turkey and had been there for at least four months. Police examined numerous locations in Athens, southern Greece, and the western island of Zakynthos as part of their investigation.

According to police and government authorities, the arrests were made because it was thought that the attack at the Jewish restaurant would happen soon.

According to a police statement, the attackers intended to harm public institutions, endanger Greece’s international relations, kill innocent civilians, and undermine national security.

According to the statement, the arrests were carried out by Greece’s anti-terrorism police division and National Intelligence Service with cooperation from an unnamed foreign intelligence agency.

Public Order Minister Takis Theodorikakos tweeted, “The operation indicates that the country’s security authorities maintain a high state of readiness for all Greeks and all tourists to our country.”