He was released after the first two fires – three days later two more broke out

60-year-old resident of Messiniaaccused in the series deliberate arsonremanded in custody after more than four hours of testimony in Kalamata court.

The decision on pre-trial detention was made unanimously by the investigator and the prosecutor. The man is accused of four deliberate arson attacks, committed serially and repeatedly in the Messinia region.

The accused himself completely denies involvement and claims that the person in the video that investigators are studying is not him.

The first two fires – August 26 and 27

The story began after two fires that occurred on August 26 and 27 in a plot not far from the defendant’s house.

Arson Unit investigators obtained surveillance footage.

According to authorities, the video shows a man who uses an open flame and sets fire to dry vegetation.

Investigators believe the man is a 60-year-old man.

After his first arrest, he was charged, but the case was then a misdemeanor, and the man was released pending trial.

Three days later – two more fires

But already on August 30, two more new fires occurred in the area.

One – in an area with dry grass, the second – in the reeds in the area Bouka Messinia.

According to investigators, both fires were also caused by open fire.

It is especially important that at that moment the region was in a state of increased fire danger.

On August 31, the man was detained again.

This time the case was reclassified, and the charges were already serious criminal character.

Defense: the damage was minor

During hours of testimony, the defendant insisted that he had nothing to do with any of the four episodes.

His lawyers also referred to the client’s health status, stating that he had an established 80% disability.

In addition, the defense emphasized that the fires themselves were limited in area and did not lead to serious material damage.

However, the court found these arguments insufficient and decided to keep the man in custody pending further proceedings. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The video became key evidence

One of the key elements of the case was surveillance camera footage.

ANT1 published footage that, according to investigators, shows the actions of the suspect immediately before the fires broke out. In the video, a man approaches dry vegetation and uses an open fire. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

The accused himself claims that it is not him.

The main question is: why was he released after the first arrest?

The most controversial part of the story concerns the procedural sequence.

After the first two episodes, the man was actually detained, but since the initial charges were less serious, he was released.

Then, according to investigators, just a few days later two more similar fires occurred. It was after this that the case moved to another category and the accused was already sent to custody. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

This is not the first high-profile case of arson in Messinia

The Messinia region has already been involved in another major arson investigation this year.

Earlier, Athens News wrote about a case in the Gargagliani area, where they were detained former local community leader, his brother and active firefighter. The investigation linked them to seven fires at once, as well as to other criminal episodes.

This material can be used as an important internal background: it shows that the problem of deliberate arson in the region is no longer isolated.

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