Greek authorities order 105 soccer fans to be detained pending trial after fatal clash

All 105 soccer fans suspected of being involved in extensive clashes in the Greek capital that resulted in the death of a 29-year-old AEK Athens supporter have been ordered to be detained pending their trial, according to authorities. The detained fans were questioned by three examining magistrates and two prosecutors in batches – 30 on Friday, 40 on Saturday, and 35 on Sunday. Each day, the authorities decided whether to detain them pending trial. One suspect, who is currently hospitalized under guard, provided a deposition to a visiting magistrate.

The group of individuals consists of 102 Croatian citizens and 3 Greeks, all of whom have denied any involvement in the fatal stabbing of Michalis Katsouris. Katsouris tragically died from a stab wound, while 10 others were injured when Croatian supporters armed with wooden clubs and metal bats attacked bystanders outside AEK’s Opap Arena last Monday, according to the police. Due to the violence, a Champions League qualifier between AEK and Dinamo Zagreb, scheduled to take place last week, was called off by UEFA, the governing body of soccer in Europe.

Authorities will be able to analyze cellphone signals at the locations of the clashes – outside AEK’s stadium and at a metro station – in order to determine if there was any additional involvement. The 105 fans have been charged with a total of 11 offenses, including four felonies such as premeditated murder and membership in a criminal organization, as well as several misdemeanors. They will be dispersed among multiple prisons across the country.

On Wednesday, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is set to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. They will then hold meetings with ministers, the head of Greece’s Football Federation, and the owners of the four largest soccer clubs in the country – AEK, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, and PAOK Thessaloniki. Additionally, the UEFA Super Cup final between Manchester City and Sevilla will be taking place at Olympiakos’ stadium near Piraeus on the same day.

(Source: AP Soccer)