
The shock and fallout from Monday evening’s deadly hooligan rampage outside an Athens football stadium continues unabated two days later, with Greek law enforcement springing into action to arrest 105 suspects after first allowing a convoy of vehicles carrying Dinamo Zagreb “ultras” a “free pass” to cross half of Greece and end up directly outside AEK Athens’ home field.
One local man, 29-year-old Michalis Katsouris, was stabbed to death and several other people injured when roughly 120 to 150 masked Croatians and some two dozen local hooligans – rivals of AEK – wielded clubs, bats and threw firebombs and other objects outside the Nea Philadelphia district stadium.
At least three investigating magistrates have been assigned the main investigation into the fatality and rioting.
The arrested suspects are expected to face prosecutors and magistrates in the coming days in groups, in order to provide sworn testimony and answer questions, should they acquiesce, in order to save time from individual appearances before judicial officers.
No one has so far been identified as the assailant or assailants in the homicide. Nevertheless, four felony charges slapped against the arrested individuals include formation of a criminal enterprise, intentional manslaughter, possession of explosive materials and multiple counts of grievous bodily harm, among others. A handful of misdemeanor charges have also been filed.
Greek law enforcement authorities have reportedly sent all recovered cell phones taken from the suspects to cyber crime lab, along with taking DNA samples and combing through video footage to identify the victim’s assailant or assailants.
As of Wednesday the murder weapon has not been recovered, although other knives were found and confiscated in vehicles used to transport the hooligans.
The most recent arrest, the 105th, came on Wednesday in the northwest city of Ioannina, which is close to the border with Albania.
The arrested man was identified as a young Croatian national who was travelling in a coach carrying fans of the Panathinaikos Athens football team. The passengers were headed to Athens to attend an UEFA qualifying match on Wednesday evening between Panathinaikos and visiting Olympique de Marseille. The bus was stopped by police while just outside Ioannina.
The man was arrested by order of a local prosecutor on suspicion of being involved in the Monday night rampage in Nea Philadelphia.
In terms of the fallout and sharp criticism of Greek Police (EL.AS), and by extension the Mitsotakis government, another 15 to 20 police officers are expected to testify in an internal probe over the failure to stop the convoy of Dinamo Zagreb hooligans from reaching AEK’s stadium in the first place.
Greek police were provided with written warnings by Croatian and Montenegro authorities, with the latter detailing the exact vehicles transporting the hooligans. Greek customs officers at the Kakavia border crossing with Albania also reported the convoy’s arrival, searching several vehicles and recording that the passengers were all young Croatian males, as well as other features, such as haircuts and types of similar clothing worn. In fact, media reports have some of the Croatian nationals admitting that they were headed to Athens on account of the AEK-Dinamo Zagreb match, even though away team fans were banned from attending.
The convoy of vehicles subsequently passed numerous toll posts, all under the “discreet” police surveillance. After losing contact with the vehicles carrying the Croatian hooligans as they reached the Greek capital’s outer perimeter, police were then alerted by staff members at a northwest Athens urban rail station of their presence and direction of travel. Finally, a small contingent of police officers made contact with the group as they walked towards the stadium, but failed to intervene before the violence erupted.


Latest News

Greek Government Reshuffle Brings in More Young Technocrats
Greek PM Mitsotakis has brought in younger leaders and technocrats in a bid to accelerate the government's efforts at modernization and efficiency, according to New Democracy insiders

Greece’s New Government Members Sworn in at Presidential Mansion
Greece's new government members were sworn in on Saturday morning and head straight to work through the first meeting of the new cabinet.

Moody’s Upgrades Greece to Investment Grade, Ending Crisis Era
The rating agency raised Greece’s long-term credit rating to Baa3 from Ba1, with a stable outlook.

EFET on World Consumer Day: Humanity Faces New Challenges
This year’s message emphasizes the need for a transition to sustainable lifestyles while safeguarding consumers’ legally recognized rights. This means ensuring access to essential goods such as food and energy, as well as health and safety.

Athens Hotels Lead Europe in Value Growth for Third Year
Over the entire period from 2015 to 2024, the average annual increase in hotel value was 6.1%.

Unemployment Rate in Greece Down 8.9% in January: IOBE
The unemployment rate in Greece recorded a further decline in January 2025, reaching 8.9%, according to the latest Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) report.

Demand for Short Term Rentals in Greece Surges Ahead of Easter
Among the most popular Easter destinations from Good Friday to Easter Monday are Corfu, Hydra, the Peloponnese, Ioannina, Patmos, Loutra Edipsou, Kavala, Thassos, and Pelion

Opposition Reacts Strongly to Greek Government Reshuffle
PASOK's spokesperson, Kostas Tsoukalas, characterized the reshuffle as a clear indication of Mitsotakis' "strategic deadlock."

Greece’s Economy Awaits Moody’s Verdict on Investment-Grade Rating
The stock market has reflected strong performance, with the general index showing resilience and a lack of inward-looking caution.

Greek PM Reshuffles Cabinet after No-Confidence Vote
The most notable changes in the Greek cabinet reshuffle include Kostis Hatzidakis being appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Kyriakos Pierrakakis taking over as Minister of National Economy and Finance.