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A mixed jury court in Edessa, northern Greece, has handed prison sentences ranging from six to 11 years to three Turkish nationals convicted in a May 2025 shooting incident targeting an officer of Greece\u2019s National Intelligence Service (EYP) in Tagarades, Thessaloniki.<\/p>\n
The court found the 50-year-old main defendant guilty of attempted murder and illegal possession and use of a firearm, sentencing him to 11 years in prison. His 24-year-old accomplice received a nine-year sentence, while a 44-year-old third defendant was sentenced to six years for aiding and abetting the attempted murder. No mitigating circumstances were recognized, and all three were returned to prison, where they had been held since their initial hearings.<\/p>\n
The shooting occurred on May 27, 2025, during an EYP operation targeting alleged Turkish organized crime networks in Greece. The three defendants, suspected of belonging to a criminal group, were traveling in a 4WD vehicle under surveillance by the intelligence service. According to the indictment, the vehicle stopped at a gas station, where the 50-year-old exited and fired at an EYP vehicle carrying only the driver. No one was injured, and the suspects initially escaped.<\/p>\n
Authorities apprehended the 50-year-old days later in a mountainous village in the Rhodope region as he reportedly planned to flee to Bulgaria. During his trial, he claimed he acted out of fear and panic, believing he was threatened by individuals connected to intelligence services in his home country, and apologized for his actions.<\/p>\n
The two other defendants were arrested shortly after the shooting in Svilengrad, Bulgaria, near the Turkish border, and extradited to Greece. They maintained their innocence, saying they had no knowledge of or involvement in the incident.<\/p>\n
EYP personnel involved in the operation did not appear in court; their statements were read to the jury. The verdict was issued late Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n