Rhodes: precautionary measures over Attavyros sabotage

A request for precautionary measures by the Greek State against a 39-year-old from Nafpaktos, accused of sabotage of facilities on Mount Attavyros in Rhodes, was heard on Wednesday 5 August 2026 before the competent court in Rhodes. The request seeks to prohibit transfer of three vehicles belonging to the defendant—one car and two motorcycles—pending the issue of a final or conclusive decision on the lawsuit, with a provisional order so that the measure takes immediate effect. Additionally sought is that his dividend income be deposited with the Fund for Deposits and Loans. These are precautionary measures aimed at securing future satisfaction of the claim rather than ruling on the substance.

The underlying lawsuit, pending before the Multimember Court of First Instance of Rhodes, seeks a total of 2,644,480 euros: 2,544,480 euros as actual damages and 100,000 euros as monetary compensation for moral injury. According to the indictment, on 3 March 2021 the defendant breached the electronic equipment of the radar on Mount Attavyros and removed the main circuit board, worth approximately 100,000 euros. Days later, in the early morning hours of 12 March 2021, from 01:45 to 05:49, successive fires destroyed antennas and shelters of mobile telephone companies as well as facilities of the Civil Aviation Authority. The charges are intentional arson causing serious damages to public-interest facilities, damage to others’ property and theft of particularly high value.

The defendant denies all involvement and fully retains the presumption of innocence until a final court decision is rendered. According to reports of the newspaper publishing the case, a purported motive was stopping radiation emitted by the radar and antennas, which the defendant allegedly linked to his friend’s illness. This claim is explicitly attributed to journalistic reports rather than an official source, has not been verified by investigative or judicial authorities and is presented with strong reservation. It is noted that from 12 November 2025, under Law 5240/2025, the public-law legal entity “Civil Aviation Authority” steps in place of the Greek State.

The case carries particular weight as it concerns infrastructure critical to flight safety and telecommunications on an island with heavy air traffic, during a peak season for the Dodecanese. The civil claim for 2.64 million euros proceeds in parallel and independently from the criminal process, which following an adjournment is set for 22 September 2026 before the Three-Judge Court of Appeal for Felonies of the Dodecanese. The court for precautionary measures will decide whether there is imminent risk of depletion of the defendant’s assets, while final ruling on liability and compensation amount will come from the Multimember Court of First Instance. Cases of infrastructure destruction by fire have repeatedly engaged the judiciary, as in the case where a 44-year-old was arrested in Kefalonia for arson.