Sixteen years after the fatal arson at Marfin Bank where three people lost their lives, Greek Police arrested two men as main suspects for the arson while it is seeking a woman living abroad. the arson attack took place during an anti-austerity protest.
According to Greek Police, two men aged 42 were arrested in downtown Athens and the Ano Liosia district, while an international arrest warrant has been issued against a 46-year-old woman who has been living in the United kingdom in the last six years.
Τhe two members are reportedly active members of the anti-authoritarian movement, while the woman has distanced herself since years.
Citing sources, state broadcaster ERT reported that the three people were identified following an anonymous e-mail to police.
Police sources said all evidence in the case was re-examined from the outset, leading to new findings and a detailed comparison of available material that resulted in the suspects’ identification.
According to in.gr news website, the three suspects referred to in the e-mail appeared in an unrelated case file. At the same time, evidence was sought for the three individuals in other case files. Comparing the material, the prosecution authorities concluded that the three individuals who appeared in an unrelated case file had the same characteristics (appearance, special features, etc.) as the perpetrators of the Marfin Bank arson.
According to some news websites, the suspects were identified because of private photos where they were wearing the same clothes and holding the same backpack during the protest and while on vacations.
However, the final say on the evaluation of the evidence and the criminal treatment of the individuals allegedly related to the case lies with the judiciary, which will judge the arrested individuals and weigh all the data.
The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime prepared a detailed report based on the evidence, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants.
Two 42-year-old men were arrested in Athens, while the 46-year-old woman was found to have left Greece six years ago and moved permanently to the United Kingdom. British authorities, who have been informed, are expected to proceed with her arrest.
The Greek Police are expected to provide further details on the case.
The arson attack at the branch of Marfin Bank on Stadiou Avenue in downtown Athens took place during an anti-austerity protest on May 5, 2010.
Three bank employees, among them one pregnant woman, lost their lives in the fire.
Three years later, three executives of the Marfin Bank were found guilty of manslaughter through negligence and causing bodily harm.
The CEO of Marfin Bank, the head of bank security and the manager of Stadiou branch were found guilty of manslaughter through negligence and causing bodily harm. The CEO and bank security head were given jail sentences of 22 years, the branch manager five years, suspending sentences until the outcome of their appeal. The branch on Stadiou Avenue was lacking adequate fire measures.
The three bank employees got trapped in the building on fire and in heavy smoke and could not escape.
The arrest revived the horror the survivors experienced on that specific day. A woman told Mega TV Live News on Friday afternoon, that there are 23 employees in the branch when the protesters passed by and when they saw one person ready to throw a Molotov cocktail bomb inside the bank, they all shouted “Don’t throw it! We are people inside!”
Their appeal was in vain…
