One of Greece’s most wanted terrorists has been apprehended after a dramatic shootout in central Athens.
On the run since 2012, Nikos Maziotis was injured in the exchange of fire as were two bystanders and a police officer according to local media reports.
Maziotis has been taken to hospital under heavy guard, with one of his accomplices thought to still be at large.
One eye witness recalled the moment he was detained:
“He went into the shop, wearing a wig to commit robbery but he did not have time, the police shot, wounded and captured him.”
As leader of the terrorist group Revolutionary Struggle, in 2010 Maziotis was charged over a series of attacks including an assault on the capitals US embassy and a car bomb detonated outside Athens stock exchange.
He evaded authorities in 2012 and was subsequently tried in absentia last year.
Giannisis Stamatis reported for euronews today from the scene, noting:
“With the arrest of one of Greece’s most wanted terrorists, police are confident that they have dealt a serious blow to domestic terrorism, which from time to time makes its presence felt in Greek society with methods including bomb attacks and bank robberies.”
