The evidence that will “tie” the mastermind and the method by which they proceed to recruit young children to integrate them into the dark world of organized crime is being investigated by officers from DAOE, the so-called “Greek FBI,” following the arrest of four men alleged to be the perpetrators of the murder of 42-year-old Giannis Lalas on November 1st in Eptalofos near Arachova. Authorities have clear indications of how the hit was planned against Giannis Lalas, who had strayed from the ranks of the Greek Mafia. Regarding the second aspect of the investigation, it’s interesting to observe how recently underworld circles have been influencing organized fan groups of major Athens teams, aiming to bring new blood to their ranks.
Read: Execution of Giannis Lalas: Death contract over 300,000 euros – Who gave the order? (Images & Video)
Regarding who is behind the order for Giannis Lalas’s murder, police are reportedly working on two main scenarios. The first involves powerful figures in the nightlife world whom the 42-year-old had particularly disturbed in recent months, having clearly shown he was operating with new backing, as he had intellectual support from the Russian-speaking mafia which had systematically damaged the established order in the Greek underworld over the past four years. Here there are a series of names that authorities are examining, which have a common starting point but sometimes operate autonomously. The second scenario concerns individuals who were quite close to Lalas’s side recently, with whom there may have been collaboration, however as happens in many such cases, friendships tend more toward wolf-friendships as the situation has been fluid for many months in this unseen side of society. Clearly authorities are examining other scenarios as well, but without the inclination to enter into more details. The only thing that can be mentioned is the strong probability, as described, that last May’s attack outside Lalas’s gas station in Ano Liosia may not be related to the latest and successful one in the Fokida region, whatever that may mean…
The profile of those arrested for Giannis Lalas’s murder
Regardless of all the above, the profile of those arrested can lead to some conclusions by itself, but it’s not completely explanatory regarding the motive of the actual mastermind for ordering Lalas’s murder.
In the foreground is clearly the 37-year-old, allegedly the “team leader” of the quartet or at least the most experienced in organized crime matters. It’s now widely known that he participated in the kidnapping of businessman Giorgos Kyparissos, while at a younger age he had been involved in armed robberies in northern Greece. Among other things, he has been involved in gang participation, attempted homicide, arson, explosion, aggravated theft, simple bodily harm, and weapons law violations. Close behind follows the 28-year-old, who allegedly has been involved in drug trafficking, weapons law violations, and flare law violations. These two are alleged to have been the ones who attempted to murder a 34-year-old person close to Giannis Lalas last September in Pagkrati. Regarding the two younger arrestees, they are a 22-year-old and a 21-year-old who are almost unknown to authorities, as they haven’t been involved in other crimes in the past.
All four visited the competent prosecutor’s office last Sunday, who filed criminal charges against them for forming and participating in a criminal organization, premeditated homicide, attempted homicide, forgery, drug trafficking, money laundering, aggravated weapon possession and carrying, illegal weapon carrying, possession and use, and aggravated damage. The defendants were referred to an investigator, while they requested and received a deadline to testify next Wednesday.
