[InTime News]
A 35-year-old man is being treated under guard at a psychiatric clinic in Thessaloniki after being arrested in connection with a fire at a house early Sunday morning, which resulted in the death of a man inside.
The victim, a 77-year-old man, was found charred by firefighters as they fought the blaze that destroyed the house in the Nea Michaniona district of Thessaloniki.
The suspect, who has been charged with premeditated murder and arson, will be called to testify in the coming days. He was not transferred to court following his arrest as a prosecutor ordered his admission to the psychiatric clinic.
During preliminary investigations, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that he knew the victim and had been carrying out some work at the house in recent weeks.
An investigation by the Sub-Directorate for the Prevention of Organized Crime in Northern Greece revealed that the victim had reported the suspect to the police just a day earlier for stealing a bank card and some tools. As a result, the suspect was summoned to testify at a police station.
According to the investigation, the suspect rode to the victim’s house on a motorcycle, where a heated argument ensued. He then allegedly struck the victim with a plank of wood, causing him to fall, before pouring fuel on him and setting him on fire.
Authorities recovered a mobile phone from the crime scene, which was identified as belonging to the suspect, likely dropped during his escape. They also discovered a motorcycle tire imprint matching the one from the motorcycle the suspect had been riding.
[AMNA]