Greek authorities arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man on Saturday in Crete on charges of Hamas membership and planning terrorist attacks, disrupting what investigators believe is a coordinated cell operating across Greece and Cyprus.
The arrest was carried out jointly by Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the Hellenic Police’s Anti-Terrorist Unit following 15 days of surveillance conducted in cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies. The suspect, who received asylum in Greece approximately one year ago and was employed at a hotel in Agios Nikolaos, is being transferred to Athens to appear before a magistrate.
Greek police confirmed the suspect placed an online order for chemical agents usable in the manufacture of explosives, though reports indicate he had not yet received the shipment. Searches of residences in both Agios Nikolaos and Athens recovered laboratory equipment, including chemical reagents, liquid dispensers, and precision scales, as well as mobile phones, a laptop, external hard drives, and bank cards.
Greek media reported the suspected target was the MS Crown Iris, an Israeli-operated cruise ship owned by Mano Maritime scheduled to dock in Crete on Tuesday, June 10. Greek police have not publicly named a target. Investigators are also examining whether the suspect planned to strike other Israeli sites or interests elsewhere in Europe.
Police said the suspect traveled to Malaysia for Hamas-run training on producing explosives from commercially available chemical agents. He made the trip with one of four Palestinians currently held in Cyprus on terrorism charges, a connection suggesting the cell organized shared training through Southeast Asia to reduce its operational footprint inside Europe.
Cypriot authorities detained two Palestinian men, aged 32 and 38, on May 22 after finding explosive-making materials at two Larnaca properties. Two more suspects, aged 54 and 57, were taken into custody on May 29. The Larnaca District Court extended detention orders for all four as recently as Sunday.
Investigations across both countries remain ongoing.
