German authorities arrest man wanted in Greece over 'Greek mafia war' murders
German authorities have arrested a 31-year-old Georgian national wanted in Greece in connection with several murders linked to a violent feud between rival criminal groups, the Hellenic Police said on Friday.
The man was arrested on July 31 following cooperation and information-sharing between the Hellenic Police organized crime department and German authorities.
Greek authorities had issued a European arrest warrant against him in connection with three murders and one attempted murder allegedly committed in Greece.
Suspect linked to multiple killings
The suspect is wanted over the murders of Giorgos Skaftouros, Yiannis Roubetis and Christos Mouzakitis, as well as the attempted murder of another person in Katerini during what Greek authorities have described as the "Greek mafia wars."
He is also wanted in connection with the murder of Evangelos Zambounis, who was killed in an ambush outside his petrol station in Athens' Neos Kosmos district on Jan. 14, 2024.
Zambounis was shot 97 times with a Kalashnikov rifle, according to police.
The suspect also faces charges linked to participation in a criminal organization involved in arson and explosions. Additional arrest warrants concern the abduction of a prison officer and possession of a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Police identify second suspect
Greek police have also released the identity and photographs of a second man wanted in connection with the Zambounis murder and related criminal activity.
Authorities believe the 31-year-old suspect was part of a criminal organization allegedly led by a Georgian national known as "Edik."
The group was involved in the production and distribution of large quantities of illicit tobacco products in Athens, Thessaloniki and other parts of Greece before being dismantled in March 2025.
Greek authorities have begun procedures for the suspect's extradition from Germany to Greece.
Source:AMNA
