[InTime News]
An 89-year-old man arrested after wounding five people in two shootings in Athens has confessed that he intended to carry out a similar attack at the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg, according to his confession.
The suspect allegedly opened fire with a shotgun at a branch of EFKA on Tuesday, wounding an employee in the leg. He then travelled by taxi to a courthouse, where he fired several more shots, lightly injuring four female court clerks.
He appeared before a public prosecutor on Wednesday and is due to testify before an investigating magistrate on Thursday.
In his confession, the man said he had visited both buildings days before the shootings to check security arrangements, including whether visitors were searched or asked for identification. On the day of the attacks, he said he entered both premises without checks.
The suspect said he did not intend to kill anyone but wanted to send a “message” over a dispute concerning his Greek pension. He told investigators he deliberately aimed at victims’ legs.
After the shootings, he took a taxi toward the intercity bus station before arranging transport to Patra, where he planned to board a ferry to Italy.
He said he intended to continue to Strasbourg and target employees there because they had sent him a letter that he interpreted as mocking him.
Police arrested him at a hotel in Patra after he encountered problems withdrawing cash from an ATM. He also claimed he bought the weapons used in the attacks years ago from Roma in his village.
Earlier Wednesday, the man’s lawyer said his client acted in “protest and despair” against Greek public services.