Five Greeks have been arrested, and a sixth is being sought, in connection with the murder of a 66-year-old Israeli diamond dealer whose body was discovered on Saturday in a metal chest at a disused mine near Lavrion, police said yesterday.

Sam Levi, who held Israeli and US passports, was killed on October 10 just a few hours after his arrival in Greece, which he often visited for business, according to police.

A 22-year-old Greek jeweler has allegedly admitted to killing Levi at his own place of work with the help of his employer, two laborers and a 40-year-old accomplice.

The other four men have admitted to participating or planning the killing, according to police, who are looking for a fifth man, aged 40.

The suspects said they had been looking for diamonds they thought Levi would be carrying but stole 3,000 euros in cash when they did not find any diamonds in his possesion.

Levi had received multiple blows to the head, police said.