It was November 2022 when he arrived at Organized Crime Department of Crete information that the person allegedly brings into the country a large number of weapons, including military rifles, from the southern coast of the island. The recording of the suspect’s telephone conversations did not confirm the initial assessments, but gradually led to the identification of a multifaceted chain of antiquities. Among others, one appears in the case retired from the archaeological service and one retired porteras well as an Italian potential buyer who arrived in Heraklion on Easter Sunday to evaluate the authenticity of the antiquities.

Last Monday, six people were arrested in a coordinated operation involving the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit of Crete, while their accomplices who are wanted appear in the formed case. According to police estimates, the action of those involved began at least in 2020. The backbone of the organization allegedly included a retired janitor, a retired employee of the archaeological service, 72 years old, and another one of those arrested. According to the case file, in mid-January they came into contact with a resident of Crusona Heraklion, who, together with a fellow countryman, owned antiquities that he wanted to sell. With the help of another intermediary, they found a potential buyer from Italy who agreed to come to Crete to inspect the items up close and verify their authenticity before any deal was made.

Easter was chosen as the ideal time for this meeting, as attendees reportedly felt that all government services would be underperforming during these days and would be able to run smoothly. The Italian arrived in Heraklion at midnight on April 16 and the next day met with his other co-defendant. In two cars, which were under constant surveillance by the secret police, they drove to an olive grove outside of Heraklion. According to the case file, along the way they took counter-surveillance measures, from time to time stopping suddenly on the side of the road to check if there was anyone in their line. The police watched their movements in the olive grove from a nearby hill. The accused entered the farmhouse and remained there for several minutes. A police investigation on the same day unearthed seven Late Minoan (1400-1300 BC) box-shaped urns from burial assemblages, some of which also contained bones. Another 88 vases were found from the same period, but also from the Stone Age. In the first review of the finds by archaeologists, it was estimated that they were particularly rare items worth over one million euros.

It is said that the antiquities belonged to a carpenter and a baker, and it is not yet clear from what parts of the island they came from and whether they got there to other poachers or gravediggers. According to the police investigation, the arrested retired archaeologist is said to have valued the scheme based on his knowledge of the rarity and value of the items. It has not yet been clarified how a potential Italian buyer will try to take the antiquities out of Greece. In the same case, a resident of Crete, who acted as an interpreter for an Italian mediator, was also arrested.

the pursuit

Three key defendants were prosecuted yesterday for creating a criminal organization, as well as for accepting and disposing of monuments that are the proceeds of crimes of especially high value. The rest of the defendants are being prosecuted, including for joining a criminal organization, and some of them for complicity in the category of acceptance and disposal of monuments. “After the first acquaintance with the case materials, we believe that the excessive publicity of the case has once again led the prosecutor’s office to excessive criminal prosecution,” Giorgos Kokosalis’ defense lawyers said in a joint statement. Nikos Papadantonakis and Giorgos Kartsonakis. Those arrested were given a deadline to apologize tomorrow.