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Greek authorities arrested a 37-year-old Palestinian man on Crete on Saturday on suspicion of links to Hamas and planning terrorist acts, police said, as investigators examine alleged connections to individuals recently arrested in Cyprus on terrorism-related offenses.
The man was arrested in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, where he had been living and working at a hotel, according to media reports.
Police said in a statement that, based on information available so far, he was linked to people recently arrested in Cyprus for terrorism-related offenses and had allegedly "received training" from Hamas.
Greek media reported that the suspect may have been targeting an Israeli cruise ship expected to arrive in Crete on Tuesday.
State broadcaster ERT said the man had rented an apartment in the Athens neighborhood of Patissia, where police found laboratory equipment and chemicals that could be used to make a bomb.
Investigations are ongoing, police said.
According to Cretalive, the 37-year-old had been living in Agios Nikolaos for nearly two years and was employed at a hotel. Local sources said he had no family with him in Crete, maintained a low profile and had not drawn suspicion.
Greek media reported that he was from the Gaza Strip and was legally residing in Greece. Some reports said he had arrived in Greece about a year ago from Gaza and had received asylum.
The case is being handled jointly by Greece's National Intelligence Service and the counterterrorism unit. Authorities are examining his contacts, movements and digital traces, including a computer, mobile phones and SIM cards, according to reports.
During searches in Crete and Athens, authorities found mobile devices, a laptop, data storage devices, bank cards and laboratory equipment, according to Greek media.
Reports said the investigation began with information from Cyprus, where individuals allegedly linked to Hamas-related terrorist activity had recently been arrested.
A telephone number believed to have served as a link in the network reportedly led investigators to Crete and specifically to Agios Nikolaos. Authorities then carried out a discreet operation to locate and identify the suspect before arresting him and transferring him to Athens, according to Greek media.
Reports said the man was allegedly part of a three-member Hamas cell. Two alleged associates arrested in Cyprus were reported to have held leading roles, while all three were said to have received training from the organization in making explosives.
According to the same reports, the 37-year-old allegedly admitted having contacts with other people and taking part in activities aimed at creating the conditions and mechanisms for carrying out an attack against Israeli targets in a European country.
Greek media reported that the suspect had rented an apartment in Patissia and turned it into a makeshift laboratory.
During a search of the apartment, police reportedly found precision scales, liquid measuring tools and chemical reagents.
Reports said the suspect had already ordered additional chemical materials but was arrested before he could receive or use them. Authorities believe he was still in the preparation phase and did not yet have all the materials needed to move to the next stage.
ERT reported that an Israeli-linked cruise ship was expected to arrive in Crete on Tuesday.
Greek media said investigators were examining whether a cruise ship could have been a possible target, though counterterrorism officials reportedly considered it unlikely to have been the immediate target because the explosive device was not yet ready.
According to the reports, authorities believe that if all the materials had been gathered, the two alleged associates from Cyprus may have traveled to meet the suspect for a major attack on an Israeli-linked target in Europe.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
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