Greek police are investigating the brazen murder of a 47-year-old man in broad daylight on Sunday in Thrakomakedones, a region northwest of Athens. The killing, widely described as a mafia-style hit, marks the second such incident in the Athens area in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, police arrested eight individuals linked to the Turkish mafia, suspected of involvement in a murder in Glyfada last week.
Details of the Mafia-style Attack
The latest victim, a bar owner from Athens, was accompanied by a 44-year-old third-country national who sustained critical head and abdominal injuries in the attack and remains hospitalized.
The shooting occurred around 1:00 PM at the intersection of Aristotelous and Komotinis Streets in Thrakomakedones.
At least three perpetrators arrived in a stolen vehicle, and authorities are reviewing security footage to trace their movements. Two additional individuals who were with the victims fled the scene and are being sought for questioning.
Investigative Leads
The Police’s Organized Crime Division is exploring various motives, including links to fuel smuggling and drug trafficking.
Although the 47-year-old victim had been investigated in 2009 for alleged involvement in an Athens extortion ring, he was acquitted and had not been on police radar since.
Investigators suspect the injured 44-year-old may have been the intended target. Recently arrived from Dubai, he has no prior record with Greek authorities but is believed to have ties to drug trafficking, says Greek news website iefimerida.
Sources suggest he avoided traveling to Greece due to fears of being assassinated, though this claim has not been independently confirmed by authorities.
