Marfin: Two 42-year-olds testify for 2010 arson attack
Two 42-year-olds face premeditated serial homicide charges for a 2010 arson attack on Marfin bank in Greece that killed three employees, while a 46-year-old suspect was arrested in London.
Judicial developments in the case of the arson attack against Marfin bank in 2010 are taking place today, as two arrested 42-year-olds are testifying, while two additional persons remain in the frame of the authorities’ investigations.
Prosecution for homicide against the two 42-year-olds
According to Law & Order, charges were filed against the two arrested 42-year-olds for premeditated serial homicide. The investigative procedures conducted at the Homicide Department revealed their involvement in the murderous attack that took place on May 5, 2010.
The victims of the tragic attack
The arson attack cost the lives of three Marfin employees. The victims were 32-year-old Angeliki Papathanasopoulou, who was four months pregnant, 35-year-old Paraskevi Zoulia, and 36-year-old Epaminondas Tsakalis. The three persons, who were trapped on the third floor of the building, died from asphyxiation.
The arrest of the 46-year-old suspect in London
Meanwhile, in the early hours of Monday (July 13), a 46-year-old suspect in the case was arrested at London’s Gatwick airport. The arrest took place when she had a ticket for a Ryanair flight scheduled for 05:20 in the morning, bound for “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport.
The woman, who for the last seven years has been permanently residing in Brighton, Britain, where she works, when informed by the Greek Authorities about the case file against her, contacted officers from the Homicide Department, stating that she is innocent and that she wishes to give explanations before Justice. She, a mother of two children, bought a ticket to voluntarily return to Greece.
Her arrest was made through the activation of Interpol’s Red Notice. During the verification of her details, it was discovered that an international warrant was pending against her. According to police sources, she is being held at the competent service for extraditions of wanted persons in London.
Extradition procedure to Greece
The Greek judicial Authorities will request the corresponding British authorities for the extradition of the 46-year-old to our country, provided she consents. The procedure is expected to be quick; however, otherwise, it will take up to two months for her extradition. Today she is expected to appear before justice at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, so that the decision of the international warrant can be confirmed and the judicial process for her extradition can begin.
Two additional suspects in the frame of investigations
Beyond the three arrested persons, two more men who allegedly had a decisive role in the arson have been placed in the frame of investigations, according to the preliminary investigation material of the Homicide Department. One of them is alleged to be the actual perpetrator, the hooded person who threw the Molotov bomb inside the bank, while the other is alleged to be the person who doused the interior of the building with flammable material.
Searches were conducted at their homes in Piraeus and Kaisariani, in their presence. During the conduct of the searches, police located and confiscated digital material and mobile phones, which are being examined in forensic laboratories with the aim of searching for evidence that will substantiate their participation in the murderous attack.
Statement by the Minister of Citizen Protection
Commenting on the developments in the Marfin case, Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis stated:
All these police officers and I personally sat down and worked for two years, two whole years, and in the end all these police officers put their signature under specific conclusions.
Source: Law & Order
