“The Mossad, together with its partners in the community, is working relentlessly to thwart intended Iranian attacks around the world.”
By United with Israel and JNS
Greek police arrested two Pakistanis in Athens on suspicion of planning attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets, authorities revealed on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Mossad said that those detained were part of a “wide Iranian network that operates from Iran and out of many countries.”
“After the investigation of the suspects started in Greece, the Mossad assisted in uncovering intelligence related to the infrastructure, methods of operation and connection to Iran,” added the statement.
The agency vowed to “continuously thwart terror attacks by Iran all over the globe.”
Greek sources told media that officers arrested two Pakistanis of Iranian origin, aged 27 and 29, who were planning attacks on Israelis in central Athens. One of the targets was reportedly a kosher restaurant and another a synagogue in the Greek capital, according to reports.
“Their aim was not only to cause the loss of life of innocent citizens, but also to undermine the sense of security in the country, while hurting public institutions and threatening [Greece’s] international relations,” Greek police said in a statement.
“The affair that was uncovered today in Greece is a severe case that was successfully thwarted by the Greek security forces. It was an additional attempt by Iran to perpetrate terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on behalf of the Mossad.
“After the start of the investigation of the suspects in Greece, the Mossad rendered intelligence assistance in unraveling the infrastructure, its work methods and the link to Iran. The investigation revealed that the infrastructure that operated in Greece is part of an extensive Iranian network run from Iran and spanning many countries.
“The Mossad, together with its partners in the community, is working relentlessly to thwart intended Iranian attacks around the world.”
Many Israelis visit Greece over the Passover holiday, which begins next Wednesday.