The details of the arrest of a 37-year-old Palestinian man in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, in Crete, accused of being a member of the terrorist organization Hamas, have been officially announced by the HQ of the Hellenic Police.

It is noted that the operation for the arrest of the 37-year-old, carried out jointly by the NIS and the Anti-Terrorist Service, was code-named “ODIN”, the Scandinavian deity that in the Christian religion refers to St Nicholas, where the accused was arrested.

Recall that the 37-year-old was arrested at 5am on Saturday morning and after 12 hours of questioning, he confessed that he had been recruited by Hamas, and had received training to make synthetic explosive devices in Malaysia.

Sources said there are Hamas camps in Malaysia and Indonesia where individuals recruited by its members are trained.

According to sources, there are Hamas camps in Malaysia and Indonesia.

It is worth noting that the 37-year-old was arrested a few days after the arrest of two Palestinians in Cyprus, who were charged with terrorism cases. The 37-year-old was talking to one of the two arrested men, with whom he had trained together at a Hamas camp in Malaysia.

The 37-year-old had been in close custody for 15 days and was found to have ordered chemicals from the internet, intended for making explosive devices.

According to the same information, he claims he did not know who the target was and was about to receive instructions, but authorities believe he was preparing a potential strike on an Israeli target, possibly related to a cruise ship.

It is noted that the necessary equipment for making bombs was found in the apartment the 37-year-old had rented in Patisia, but he did not yet have the necessary raw materials.

In detail the announcement of the Hellenic Police:

“A 37-year-old foreigner of Palestinian origin was arrested in the evening hours yesterday, Saturday, June 6, 2026, in an area of Crete, following a joint operation by the Anti-Terrorist Service (D.A.E.E.B.) and the National Intelligence Service.

A case was filed against him for membership as a member of the terrorist organization HAMAS, as well as for receiving training and traveling for terrorist purposes.

This was preceded by an evaluation of information from the National Intelligence Service, which revealed indications that the 37-year-old was linked to persons who had recently been engaged by the authorities of another European country in terrorism cases. At the same time, evidence concerning his training in the manufacture of synthetic explosives is being investigated.

In fact, the 37-year-old was working and living in an area of Crete, while, as the investigation revealed, he had placed an online order for explosives. During the subsequent searches carried out in homes in Crete and Attica, the following were found and seized, among other things:

– mobile phone devices,

– a laptop computer,

– portable data storage devices,

– banking cards,

– laboratory-type precision analytical balance; and

– laboratory magnetic shaker with a heated plate.

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The arrested person with the case file formed against him will be taken to the competent prosecuting authority, while investigations continue.”