The 32-year-old Palestinian of Syrian origin, who claimed to belong to the organization and was arrested for attacks on women in Aigaleo, has no connection to terrorism or the Islamic State (ISIS). After his claims, he was examined by the Greek Intelligence Service (EYP). He stated that “an ISIS member, higher in rank than me, made me start fires in Greece” and added that “he gave me 100 euros for each fire.”
Read: Aigaleo: Palestinian who attacked women imprisoned – Accepted charges for arsons (Images & video)
However, his initial claims made the EYP examine him, and according to SKAI, the 32-year-old Palestinian who is not “mapped” to any organization was asked to describe what this specific person looked like (externally). Then, the 32-year-old who was located and arrested in Aigaleo, as he allegedly attacked women and had set fires on Mount Hymettus, replied: “No, I can’t describe him to you because he is the prophet from Pagrati.” According to information, the authorities consider the 32-year-old as “disturbed and not as a member of ISIS.”
The evidence so far shows the following about the profile of the 32-year-old Palestinian of Syrian origin:
- He displays characteristics that point more to a psychologically unstable individual; however, the fact that he passed through Kos to Athens on May 12, 2024, sought asylum, and for almost a year and a half circulated uncontrolled under the authorities’ noses raises questions and suspicions.
- They cannot rule out the possibility that he passed through ISIS training camps at some point, but his current image does not point to an Islamic State fighter who came to Greece to carry out terrorist attacks.
Aigaleo: Palestinian who attacked women imprisoned – Accepted charges for arsons
The 32-year-old Palestinian, accused in the Mount Hymettus arson cases, was sent to prison earlier today, Thursday (18/9), after his testimony. The accused gave a brief testimony before the investigator in the presence of an interpreter, without being accompanied by a lawyer, and was then brought before the prosecutor for opinions.
According to information, he admitted to the arsons before the judicial authorities and claimed he did it to have something to eat, without giving further details. Regarding ISIS, whose member he allegedly claimed to be during pre-investigation, he told the judicial authorities that he has heard of the organization. After completing the procedure, with the unanimous opinion of the investigator and prosecutor, he was deemed temporarily detained.
Aigaleo: Palestinian’s trial postponed
The trial of the 32-year-old Palestinian of Syrian origin, accused of attacks against three women in Aigaleo, was postponed until September 23 at the Summary Single-Member Misdemeanor Court. The trial was postponed so that the victims could be called to testify, as requested by the accused through an interpreter.
The criminal record
According to MEGA, the 32-year-old who consecutively attacked two minor girls and one woman in the Aigaleo area has been arrested more than 20 times in the past for various crimes, yet was circulating freely. Specifically, the 32-year-old Palestinian’s file includes serious crimes that make him known to security authorities. The charges against him include:
- Attacks on two minor girls
- Sexual assault on a 58-year-old woman
- Arson in urban areas
- Attempted murder with a knife
- The series of attacks in Aigaleo that shocked residents
It is recalled that last Monday a series of attacks began that terrorized the Aigaleo area. The first victim was a 14-year-old girl walking just 200 meters from her home around 1 PM. The minor’s father describes the horrific experience: “He threw her down on the sidewalk and because the child shouted ‘help,’ some neighbors came out. He didn’t leave frightened, he left calmly. Whatever he did, he did with full consciousness.” The attack was particularly violent, as the Palestinian approached the girl from behind, grabbed her around the waist, passed over her chest, and then grabbed her neck. When the minor reacted, he threw her on the sidewalk and spat in her face.
After the attack on the 14-year-old, the 32-year-old Palestinian continued his attacks in Aigaleo. The next victim was a 58-year-old woman, whom he suddenly embraced from behind. He then terrorized a 17-year-old in her home’s entrance hall. His arrest was made possible thanks to the Arson Crime Response Directorate. His clothes, particularly the distinctive green shorts, helped in his identification. An arrest warrant had been issued against him for arson in the Mount Hymettus area.
The Palestinian’s profile
The 32-year-old Palestinian of Syrian origin illegally arrived in Kos in May 2024, declaring himself a war refugee. Despite his extensive criminal record, he was granted asylum and continued to circulate freely. Last May he was arrested for attempted murder with a knife but was not sent to prison. He has been arrested at least 20 times for various crimes, yet always maintained his residence permit. Following the events in Aigaleo, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum announced it is reviewing the asylum status granted to the 32-year-old Palestinian.
