The military cache found in a storage area in an apartment in the Athens area of Pangrati Tuesday night does not appear to be connected to the recent events in the Ambelokipi area, a senior official from the Ministry of Citizen Protection told Kathimerini.
According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, authorities believe that the storage may have been used as a hideout by an earlier group from the so-called urban guerrilla movement, as the weapons appear to be and weapons found there stored for a long time.
If these assessments are confirmed, there could be a link between the cache and groups such as the Popular Fighters Group, which ceased operations in 2018.
Officials from the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the counter-terrorism unit, who are in charge of the investigation, consider this case to be extremely important.
Investigators seized ANFO explosives, gelatin dynamite, two or three guns, and several computers.
Initial reports suggest that the owner of the unit, a retired member of the armed forces, contacted the police after learning that the hidden cache of weapons had been discovered when he opened the storage unit, which had not been visited in years.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Hellenic Police (ELAS) or the Ministry of Citizen Protection.
On October 31, a bomb went off as he was doing it in a flat in Ambelokipikilling a 36-year-old man and seriously injuring a 33-year-old woman.
So far, four people are facing charges that include forming and participating in a terrorist organization and illegal possession of explosives. They have all denied wrongdoing.
Monday, Police arrested a 31-year-old mana self-proclaimed anarchist, related to the case.
Questions for Guest 1:
1. Could you provide an overview of the latest police discovery and its potential significance in the context of ongoing terrorist activity in Greece?
2. How might the fact that the weapons appear to be older and linked to past groups like the Popular Fighters Group impact the current investigation?
3. What measures are in place to ensure that these types of caches are not being actively used or replenished by current terrorist organizations?
4. Can you comment on the challenges law enforcement faces in distinguishing between past and present terrorist activity, particularly in terms of individuals and groups involved?
Questions for Guest 2:
1. In what ways have recent developments in the Ambelokipi case, including the discovery of the military cache and the arrests made so far, impacted the investigation?
2. What role do anonymous sources play in offering insight into the dynamics at play in these types of high-stakes investigations, and how are they vetted for credibility?
3. Can you comment on the balance between ensuring national security and maintaining individual privacy in situations like these where investigators may draw on confidential information?
4. How does the government plan to address potential public concern or backlash following these high-profile incidents, particularly in terms of preventing copycat attacks or fostering greater public trust in law enforcement?
