GREECE: Turkish militants arrested and boat full of weapons seized, Greek police say

Record ID: 711448

  • Title: GREECE: Turkish militants arrested and boat full of weapons seized, Greek police say
  • Date: 1st August 2013
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (AUGUST 1, 2013) (REUTERS) GREEK POLICE SPOKESPERSON CHRISTOS PARTHENIS GIVING A NEWS BRIEFING AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) GREEK POLICE SPOKESPERSON CHRISTOS PARTHENIS SAYING: "From the investigation carried out by the anti-terrorism unit, the 55-year-old Turkish national that was in the boat is being sought with a red notice by Interpol Turk
  • Embargoed: 16th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Crime
  • Reuters ID: LVA7IDOWQ5G950J9RTW3Q75W313W
  • Story Text: Greek police said on Thursday (August 1) that six people had been arrested and another 17 are being investigated after a boat full of weapons was confiscated near the Turkish coast.
    Two Turkish nationals, one aged 55, and two Greeks were arrested after their rubber speedboat was intercepted by the Greek coast guard near the Greek island of Chios close to the Turkish coast full of heavy weapons and explosive materials on Tuesday.
    "From the investigation carried out by the anti-terrorism unit, the 55-year-old Turkish national that was in the boat is being sought with a red notice by Interpol Turkey for terrorist acts. He had applied for political asylum in our country with false documents, which was rejected," police spokesperson Christos Parthenis said.
    He added that the second Turkish national on the boat had also applied for political asylum, which had also been rejected.
    A third Turkish national and another Greek were also arrested on the island of Chios in relation to the case.
    On Wednesday Turkey's Interior Minister Muammer Guler said one of the two Turks is Hasan Biber, a member of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) suspected of carrying out an attack on the headquarters of the ruling AK Party earlier this year.
    Turkey and the United States list the DHKP-C as a terrorist organisation. It has carried out a series of deadly attacks on police stations since late last year.
    Greek police have not released any names. The speedboat contained anti-tank rockets, hand grenades, guns, explosive materials and timers.
    Another 17 people of Turkish origin from across Greece are being interrogated.
    Greek police said two suspects from Athens, aged 59 and 48, have arrest warrants out against them by Turkish and German authorities.
    "As the investigation revealed, there are arrest warrants out for the 59-year-old and 48-year-old Turkish nationals by Turkish authorities for their participation in the terrorist organization DHKPC. The 48-year-old is also being sought on a European arrest warrant by German authorities", Parthenis said.
    Parthenis added that Greek and Turkish authorities are working together during the investigation.
    Greece's anti-terrorism unit is carrying out further investigations around the country, and has confiscated mobile phones, computers and documents.
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