Greece's anti-terrorism police have arrested seven people over arson attacks against an Israeli-owned hotel and a synagogue in central Athens this year, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a statement by local police.
A 25-year-old Greek woman, two Iranians aged 46 and 36 and an Afghan accomplice, 44, were arrested over a May 15 attack with a makeshift incendiary bomb on a building housing an Israeli-owned hotel and restaurant, according to the statement.
The four were accused of arson that could potentially put human lives at risk and of causing damage to foreign-owned property in a racially motivated attack.
In another incident on June 18, a 44-year old Greek man and a 26-year old Afghan rode near a synagogue in Athens on a motorcycle and threw flammable material at its entrance causing fire, police said. A police official said a 30-year-old Iranian had been arrested as their accomplice.
The three were accused of arson, gun possession and robbery among other violations, the official added.
Five of those arrested have been detained and two released on restrictions while awaiting trial.
In March of 2023, Greek police arrested two Iranian men of Pakistani origin suspected of being members of a group that planned an arson or bomb attack against an Israeli restaurant and the same synagogue in Athens.
The Mossad had praised Greece for foiling the attack, accusing Iran of orchestrating the operation. Iran denied it was involved in the plot.