89-year-old man faces criminal charges after armed attacks at EFKA and Athens Courthouse

On April 28, 2026, an 89-year-old man, identified as Panagiotis K., carried out armed attacks using a hunting shotgun at an EFKA office in Kerameikos and the Athens Court of First Instance on Loukareos Street. The incidents resulted in five people sustaining minor injuries, including one EFKA employee and four court clerks. Following the attacks, the suspect fled by taxi to Patras, where he was arrested in a hotel near the bus station while allegedly planning to leave the country. Authorities recovered a loaded .38 caliber revolver in his possession at the time of his arrest. The suspect claimed his actions were motivated by desperation and frustration regarding a long-standing dispute over pension insurance credits, denying any intent to kill. He currently faces three felony charges, including attempted murder, alongside six misdemeanor counts, and has been referred to an investigating magistrate. Due to his advanced age, Greek law may prohibit imprisonment, potentially replacing it with house arrest or mandatory psychiatric evaluation depending on findings regarding his mental state. In response to the breach of security, court employees in Athens held a strike on April 29, 2026, demanding improved safety measures.