Three British nationals arrested with heavy weapons in northern Greece
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Greek authorities arrested three British nationals of Iraqi descent in the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis near the Turkish border on Saturday night, after they found heavy weapons and ammunition hidden in their car and trailer.
The prosecutor charged two of the three suspects with participating in a criminal organization, involvement in terrorist acts, smuggling and transportation and possession of ammunition and firearms.
The three men were arrested by coast guard officials near the customs office at Kipoi. During the search, officials found 18 machine guns and tenths of thousands of bullets neatly packed in boxes and hidden crypts, as well as 400 U.S. dollars, 2,000 Turkish Liras and 10,000 Iraqi dinars on one of the suspects. A second suspect carried 900 euros and five cell phones.
According to the initial investigation, the weapons are likely to have been bought in Germany and Austria and were to be transferred to northern Iraq. Authorities believe the three men were a member of the same criminal group but no terrorist link has so far been established.
They say it appears that the purpose of the transfer of these weapons was to sell them. None of them has a record of a prior arrest, criminal action, or pending arrest warrant in any European country.
Police also said the suspects had been residing in a hotel in Alexandroupolis for about eight days.