Greek prosecutors have upgraded the charges against three suspects held in custody in connection with the deadly 2010 attack on a Marfin bank branch in Athens, applying provisions of the country’s Criminal Code concerning terrorist acts.
The Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office accepted a proposal by the third investigating magistrate handling the case to apply the aggravating provisions of Article 187A of the Criminal Code, which covers crimes committed in connection with terrorism.
The three suspects already face charges of intentional homicide committed jointly and involving multiple victims. The upgraded indictment also extends the charges to attempted murder involving the 24 employees who were working at the bank on the day of the attack.
Case to go before three-judge felony court
The decision means the case will be heard by a three-judge felony court composed of professional judges, without lay jurors.
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The charges were upgraded because investigators have classified the Marfin incident as a terrorist act based on the evidence gathered so far, according to the report.
The attack on May 5, 2010, left five people dead, including a pregnant woman.
Three suspects remain in custody
All three suspects are being held in pretrial detention following their appearances before investigating authorities in mid-July and early August.
They are being held in Malandrino, Nafplio and Korydallos prisons, respectively.
The upgraded indictment marks a significant development in the investigation into the deadly attack, which killed five people and led to renewed legal proceedings more than 16 years later.