Police in Greece arrested six people for planting a 10kg (21lb) explosive device at the villa of a Greek-American businessman on the island of Lefkada.
The attempt to blow up the villa of the 81-year-old businessman took place in January. The explosive device could have caused extensive damages and possibly endangered human lives. However, the bomb did not explode. According to the investigation, the device was detonated, but the fuse went out for unknown reasons.
The investigation into the case of the placement of the explosive device in the Vasiliki area of Lefkada island, was carried out by the Extortion Department of the Hellenic Police Directorate for Combating Organized Crime.
The bomb was discovered by the 43-year-old villa caretaker who informed the authorities. From that moment on, a major investigation began to locate and identify those involved.
The organized crime ring
After months-long investigation, police estimate that they have now mapped the actions of the criminal ring, from planning the attack to placing the explosive device. According to the findings, the ring members allegedly conducted surveillance of the area, arranged for a vehicle to be rented, and then went to the villa to place the device.
In total, the criminal organization is said to consist of eight people. Six people, five men and one woman, have been arrested in the last few days, all from different Attica areas including Piraeus, Menidi, Nikaia, Perama, Aegina and Agistri. According to the Hellenic Police, they were allegedly carrying out orders from two inmates at Malandrino prison.
Three of the arrested individuals have previously been indicted for cases related to drug trafficking, explosives and robberies.
The order came from the prison
Of particular interest is the role of the two Malandrino prison inmates, who allegedly gave the order for placing the explosive in the villa. The two individuals who are known to the authorities and have a track record for committing serious crimes.
One of the two has been accused of a knife attack inside the prison against an Albanian criminal, who had been accused of the attempted murder of businessman Giannis Lalas. Giannis Lalas had previously been of interest to the authorities for various cases and was murdered in 2025 in the wider area of Arachova.
The second inmate who allegedly gave the order for the attack has been indicted for murder, among other crimes. In May 2025, he allegedly murdered a compatriot of Albanian origin, while he has also been watched by the police for drug-related cases.
Authorities are looking for motive
Despite the dismantling of the criminal ring and the identification of the alleged instigators, police now are looking for the motive behind the failed attack against the 81-year-old Greek-American businessman.
As reported by public television ERT, the authorities have not found any connection between the businessman and persons or activities in Greece that could explain the attack. So far, no connection between the businessman and the people arrested has been found.
For this reason, the investigation by the Extortion Department continues, as the police attempt to identify the real motive behind the order to place the explosive device.
The six men arrested have been brought before the prosecutor for further proceedings, while a similar procedure is expected to follow for the two inmates in the Malandrino prison.
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