Two Pakistanis, 29 and 27, who were targeting Israeli targets in central Athens were arrested in connection with the dismantling of a “terrorist network” in Greece, police sources said on Wednesday.
The police had just announced “the dismantling of a terrorist network” and the arrest of two foreigners who were planning “strike” from abroad.
According to these police sources, these two Pakistanis are of Iranian descent. “Following coordinated actions by Greek police and the National Intelligence Service, a terrorist network planning attacks from abroad against carefully selected targets on Greek territory was dismantled,” the police said in a statement.
“They had already chosen the target of the attack,” police said, “and they had started scouting the area and planning the attack.” “They had received final instructions” to carry out their project, according to the same source .
Responding on behalf of the Mossad, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said this was “a serious matter that was successfully thwarted by the Greek security forces.” This is a new attempt by Iran to promote terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad When investigating the suspects in Greece, the Mossad helped clarify the infrastructure, methods of operation and connection to Iran. The investigation revealed, that the infrastructure operated in Greece was part of a large Iranian network operating from Iran in many countries.
Mossad is constantly working with its partners to thwart Iran’s terrorist attacks around the world.
Secretary of State Eli Cohen said: “I thank the Greek government and the Greek intelligence and security services for thwarting the terrorist attack on Jewish and Israeli targets. Terrorism is a common enemy and fighting it is our top priority. The government of the ayatollahs in Tehran is exporting terrorism to the Middle East and around the world, and only a firm stance will stop the Iranian regime’s terrorist activities.”