Story perspectives

Greek Courts Strike Over Security Gaps After Shooting

4/29/2026

Left

Shooter Attacks

Court employees staged a 24-hour strike, blaming authorities for inadequate security and idle X-ray scanners.
An 89-year-old man left envelopes at an Athens courthouse after shooting, then was arrested in Patras.
The shooter fired a shotgun at the National Social Security Fund office, wounding an employee.
Judges and prosecutors’ association said the attacks exposed failures, noting unused X-ray machines bought earlier.

Right

Shooter Attacks Courthouse

Police reminded the public that Greek gun licences demand thorough psychological screening after a relative identified the courthouse shooter.
An 89-year-old collector wounded four after shooting a Social Security Fund office and a court and was captured in Patra.
Envelopes containing documents were found at the courthouse before police took him into custody.
Authorities noted psychiatric treatment, pension case loss, and that he fled with loaded .38 revolver.

History

Historical Context

A 1999 bomb by the anti-U.S. group Revolutionary Nuclei near Athens’ InterContinental Hotel killed a bystander and prompted the Greek Ministry of Justice to allocate €12 million for courthouse security, with the EU adding €5 million for X-ray scanners. Today, an 89-year-old shooter targeting the Athens courthouse and Patras Social Security office revives those unresolved security gaps.

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Shooter Attacks

Court employees staged a 24-hour strike, blaming authorities for inadequate security and idle X-ray scanners.
An 89-year-old man left envelopes at an Athens courthouse after shooting, then was arrested in Patras.
The shooter fired a shotgun at the National Social Security Fund office, wounding an employee.
Judges and prosecutors’ association said the attacks exposed failures, noting unused X-ray machines bought earlier.

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