A 55-year-old man was detained in Thessaloniki, Greece, on suspicion of preparing a double murder in Lithuania. This was reported by the Lithuanian outlet Delfi.
According to the report, the suspect was detained as early as February 10 under a European arrest warrant. Greek outlet Voria says the man is an ethnic Greek from Georgia.
A court in Thessaloniki approved the suspect’s extradition to Lithuania, but he appealed the decision to Greece’s Supreme Court. He denies guilt and says his life would be in danger in Lithuania.
Investigators believe the suspect transferred five thousand euros as part of preparations to kill two people: a 46-year-old activist from Russia who was granted asylum in Lithuania, and a political adviser known for statements against the Kremlin.
According to Voria, those involved in the case collected information on the intended targets and monitored them using photos and videos. One of the potential victims was allegedly fitted with a listening device, and the activist from Russia had his “electronic systems” hacked.
Voria reports that the man detained in Greece was supposed to receive 10 thousand euros, while Delfi writes that the sum was 50 thousand. The hired killers were allegedly to be paid 40 thousand euros each.
In total, seven people are named in the case: citizens of Greece, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania. Delfi noted that they were detained on March 12, 2025. The crime also had “main organizers” who, according to journalists, were not detained. A key figure holding both Russian and Greek citizenship is in Germany, Voria writes.