A 38-year-old taxi driver was arrested in Athens on Tuesday after allegedly threatening an Israeli family he drove from Athens International Airport to their hotel and demanding €600. According to Greek reports, the driver refused to let the family exit the taxi or retrieve their luggage from the trunk until they gave in to his demand and paid the money. After the family filed a complaint with police, investigators identified the driver and issued an arrest warrant.
2+The incident occurred on the evening of August 13, after the family arrived from Israel at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens. The taxi driver picked them up from the airport and drove them to their hotel in the Greek capital’s city center. But according to the allegations, when they arrived at the hotel, the ride turned into a threatening ordeal. Greek police said the driver repeatedly threatened to use violence and terrorized the family while demanding they hand over €600.
According to local reports, the driver wouldn’t let them get out of the taxi or access their suitcases stored in the trunk. Only after they gave in to his demand and handed over the money were the family members able to exit the vehicle and retrieve their belongings.
2+Soon after the incident, the family went to the Syntagma police investigation unit and filed a complaint. Investigators opened a case, analyzed the information collected and digital data, and managed to identify the 38-year-old as the taxi driver who transported the family. Based on the findings, a case was opened against him on suspicion of robbery, and an authorized investigator issued an arrest warrant. According to the report in Zougla, at some point the taxi was found abandoned in the Ano Liosia area on Katakouzinos Street, and was later returned to the company that owns it.
2+According to the Greek report, the driver arrived at the Syntagma police station with his lawyer, where he was arrested under the warrant issued against him. In an official statement, Greek police said he was arrested on the morning of August 25 and was subsequently brought before the Athens prosecutor’s office. The investigation against him doesn’t end with the incident involving the Israeli family. Police are examining an additional complaint filed against the 38-year-old by a Canadian tourist. According to the allegations, in that additional case, the driver tried to defraud the tourist and extort €800 from him.