Greek police and the Israeli Mossad announced on Tuesday that two individuals who had been plotting a terrorist attack on the Chabad House in Athens, Greece, had been arrested.
By Anash.org reporter
Greek police and the Israeli Mossad announced on Tuesday that two individuals who had been plotting a terrorist attack on the Chabad House in Athens, Greece, had been arrested.
Israeli media reported that the suspects were 27 and 29-year-old Pakistani nationals of Iranian origin, who were allegedly part of an international terrorist network that received training from Iran.
The two, who had allegedly been planning terrorist attacks in the country, including at a Chabad house, were arrested by Greek police after their plot was uncovered. The Israeli Mossad said that they assisted in “intelligence priming of the network, the methods of operation and the connection to Iran”.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the investigation revealed that the network that operated in Greece is part of a wide Iranian network that spans many countries and receives its instructions from Tehran.
Police said the suspects had chosen a target of “high symbolism” and were making final preparations for the attack.
“Their aim was not only to cause the loss of life of innocent citizens, but also to undermine the sense of security in the country, while hurting public institutions and threatening (Greece’s) international relations,” the police statement said.
Greece’s Public Order Minister Takis Theodorikakos also announced the arrest, writing on Twitter that “Authorities have uncovered members of a terrorist organization involving foreign nationals, who have been taken to the public prosecutor.”
On Tuesday evening, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant released a statement saying that “The arrest of the terrorists is further proof of the superiority of Israeli intelligence and the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and its perpetrators.”
“The Mossad and the other intelligence agencies will continue to act to ensure that wherever Iran tries to act against our citizens, it will be met with an effective response,” Gallant added.
Earlier, the Mossad released a statement saying: “The affair that was revealed today in Greece is a serious affair that was successfully thwarted by the Greek security forces. This is another attempt by Iran to promote terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad.
“After the investigation of the suspects began in Greece, the Mossad assisted in intelligence priming of the infrastructure, the methods of operation and the connection to Iran. As part of the investigation, it was revealed that the infrastructure that operated in Greece is part of a wide Iranian network that operates from Iran out in many countries.
The Mossad, together with its partners in the community, works by virtue of its role continuously to thwart terrorist attacks by Iran all over the globe.”
Chabad shliach to Athens Rabbi Mendel Hendel thanked local authorities for foiling the attack.
“The place is very secure and security is taken seriously. Thank G-d that we have authorities that thwarted [the attack],” he said.
Discussion
In keeping in line with the Rabbonim's policies for websites, we do not allow comments. However, our Rabbonim have approved of including input on articles of substance (Torah, history, memories etc.)
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.