Greek Police Charge Palestinian in Hamas-Linked Crown Iris Plot
The Crete arrest followed a tip from Cyprus, where four Palestinian men were detained in May as part of an investigation into alleged explosive-making materials.
Greek authorities detained a 37-year-old Palestinian man on Crete over the weekend and charged him Monday in an alleged Hamas-linked plot whose possible target was the Israeli cruise ship MS Crown Iris before its Tuesday call at Agios Nikolaos. The former Gaza resident, who had been granted asylum in Greece last year and worked at a hotel on Crete, is accused of receiving training for terrorist purposes and membership in Hamas.
Greek and Cypriot investigations converge
Greek police did not publicly identify the suspect or name a target in their initial statement. Crown Iris was later identified as the suspected target, and Greek authorities confirmed the charges.
Investigators alleged that the suspect had traveled to Malaysia with one of four suspected Hamas members previously detained in Cyprus, where the men allegedly received training in making explosives from commercially available chemicals. Authorities described the alleged activity in Greece as still preparatory, saying materials were being gathered for a possible attack.
Searches at residences in Crete and Athens turned up mobile phones, a laptop, external hard drives and bank cards. Police also alleged that the man had placed an online order for “chemical agents” that could be used in explosives, while Greek media said laboratory equipment, including a scale, was found during the investigation.
The Crete arrest followed a tip from investigators in Cyprus. Cypriot authorities arrested two Palestinians on May 22 after finding materials in two residences that police said could be used to make explosives; two more Palestinian men were detained May 29 as part of the same investigation.
Crown Iris call proceeds after repeated protests
Crown Iris docked at Agios Nikolaos on Tuesday, and no incidents were reported during the call. The ship then began its return voyage to Haifa.
The vessel has drawn recurring protests in Greece during the war in Gaza. Demonstrators gathered near the ship when it called at Piraeus on June 3, and Greek security forces protected Israeli tourists traveling by bus to board the vessel there. Protesters have alleged that Mano Maritime, the Haifa-based owner of Crown Iris, profits from the war by selling tourism services to Israel Defense Forces soldiers on leave.
Agios Nikolaos has also seen earlier confrontations around the ship. In July 2025, Greek police used tear gas and made arrests as demonstrators tried to block Crown Iris during a call at the Cretan port.
The investigation remains open, and authorities have not released final findings. The suspect’s first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
