Lyggeridis murder: The criminal organization and the “Ioannina branch”

The police, in its official, detailed announcement on the “dismantling of a criminal gang” whose members are charged with the murder of MAT police officer Giorgos Lyggeridis, during the clashes between fans and police forces in Rentis, also refers to Ioannina.

He notes that the activity of the criminal organization is located mainly in Attica and, as the case may be, in areas of the province such as Volos and Ioannina, “committing crimes with a sporting background or on the occasion of sporting events”.

Specifically, it states that on December 21, 2022, before the start of the match in Ioannina, “five people removed the home team’s banner from the stand and burned it. At the same time, other people were breaking seats and throwing them at police forces.” Police believe that three members of the organization took part in these attacks.

On December 21, 2022, the PAS Ioannina-Olympiakou match took place in “Zosimades”, which had ended 2-2.

Among other things, the police report that leaders were given special treatment (by teams), as they had credentials and moved freely on the field.

He also states that they received money by selling invitations for free entry or from the canteens that operate around the stadiums, for “protection”.

He also notes that “some of the members of the criminal organization are connected by working relationships both with the group and with another Agency, where they worked without going to work, until after the incident in Rentis when they were now asked to go to work normally otherwise apply for permission. Typical is the case of a leading member who worked in a sports association of the team he supports, but the working relationship with it was terminated on the day the incidents took place in Rentis”.

According to the announcement, “the planning and selection of the goals of the criminal organization was done exclusively by the 8 leading executives, who also played an important role during the executive stage, with a physical and guiding presence in almost all of their illegal actions.”

Finally, it is noted that one of the persons arrested, who is considered to have a leading role in the organization, was arrested in Ioannina.