A thriller is taking place in Thessaloniki, with an elderly man to have taken hostage the director of Loan and Consignment Fund. Greek media report that the man entered the Fund at 9:30 in the morning, carrying a can with gasoline and most probably a gun.
According to reports, the well-dressed man, 72, entered the office of the director, purred gazoline on the floor and threatened to set himself on fire. The man allegedly claims money from the Fund.
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Strong police forces rushed to the spot, evacuated the building, while police mediators arrived in order to convince the man to surrender.
The Loan and Consignment Fund is a state body that gives loans with low interest rate to civil servants and loans to normal citizens against pawn.
UPDATE 2:oo pm :
After 3.5 hours police managed to take the man under control and free the hostage.
According to Greek media, the man is a once successful businessman in Northern Greece. A former publisher and owner of contruction enterprises, cafeterias and cinema halls. A decade ago, he was involved in a scandal because as owner of illegal gambling facilities he had allegedly close relations to a government minister.
The L&C Fund apparently was holding back money because the man had debts to tax authorities.
I don’t feel as sorry for this guy but I do the Patras man who suicide. But it could be worse and be homeless Pakistan man I see near train station who hungry and cold too