A 37-year-old Palestinian man accused of involvement in a planned terrorist attack has been remanded in custody in Greece following his testimony before an investigating magistrate.
The suspect faces charges including forming and joining a terrorist organisation, namely Hamas, as well as receiving training in the construction and use of explosives for terrorist acts.
According to reports, he denied that his trip to Malaysia was linked to terrorist training. He reportedly claimed that he had been deceived into making the journey after being told he would work there as an electrician, only to be taken to a Hamas training camp against his will.
He is also said to have provided names and details of people he alleges recruited and blackmailed him.
His lawyer, Spyros Pantazis, said after the hearing that the defendant’s conduct, way of thinking and personality were far removed from what he described as a terrorist criminal profile. He argued that his client was being treated as a scapegoat in a case built on weak evidence and significant gaps.
Pantazis said the evidence did not form a clear chain of guilt, but instead pointed to contradictions, omissions and questions that could not be ignored.
The criminal charges brought against the suspect include membership of a terrorist organisation, receiving training in the making and use of explosives for terrorist purposes, travelling to attend training for terrorist acts and providing support for terrorist purposes.
Source: CNN.gr
