What the Hellenic Police say about the arrest of the 37-year-old Palestinian: Investigations into his explosives training in Malaysia
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Electronic devices, an electronic scale and a manual for its use were found by the Anti-Terrorism Service in the home of the 37-year-old Palestinian who declared himself a member of Hamas.
The 37-year-old had taken the scale, which he would use along with other materials that he expected to receive from abroad, in order to carry out a terrorist attack, possibly against a cruise ship with Israelis that would arrive in Crete on Tuesday.
The arrested man admitted his involvement with the Hamas organization and is expected to be taken to the prosecutor, while the authorities are looking for evidence about the training he received in Malaysia on explosives.
His training in Malaysia
The arrested man reportedly came to Greece on July 23, 2023, when he was granted asylum. He then went to Germany and returned last summer, where he worked again in Crete.
The recruitment and the trip to Malaysia took place before 2023. However, as he told the authorities, he had also traveled to Malaysia about a year ago where he met the explosives instructor and operator, with whom he maintained regular communications.
The police are prioritizing the exploration of digital evidence, from which they estimate that important information about communications and contacts will emerge for the development of the investigation.
The announcement of the Hellenic Police. for the arrest of the 37-year-old Palestinian
"A 37-year-old foreigner of Palestinian origin was arrested yesterday afternoon, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in an area of Crete, following a joint operation by the Anti-Terrorism Service (D.A.E.E.B.) and the National Intelligence Service.
A case was filed against him for membership in the terrorist organization HAMAS, as well as for receiving training and traveling for terrorist purposes.
This was preceded by the use of information from the National Intelligence Service, which revealed indications of the 37-year-old's connection with persons who recently occupied the authorities of another European country for terrorism cases. At the same time, information regarding his training in the manufacture of synthetic explosives is being investigated.
In fact, the 37-year-old worked and resided in an area of Crete, while, as the investigation revealed, he had made an online order for explosives. During the subsequent searches carried out in homes in Crete and Attica, the following items were found and seized, among others:
mobile telephone devices,
a laptop computer,
portable data storage devices,
bank cards,
a precision laboratory-type analytical balance and
a laboratory magnetic stirrer with a heated plate.
The arrested person with the case file filed against him will be taken to the competent prosecutor's office, while the investigations continue.
