Rifle cleared of Mikrolimano shooting linked to drive-by death
An AK-47 assault rifle that was cleared by forensic experts as being the gun used in an assault on a bar in the Piraeus neighborhood of Mikrolimano has been linked to three other attacks, including one which resulted in the death of a 43-year-old man in central Athens last month.
Divers on Monday recovered the Kalashnikov from the port of Piraeus following a shooting at a bar in Mikrolimano on November 22 that left at least 10 people injured but ballistics tests revealed on Tuesday that it was not the same gun used in that incident.
However, evidence was uncovered to suggest that it was used in three other attacks, including a drive-by shooting at a bar in central Athens on October 31 that left one man dead. It is also believed to have been the weapon used in an armed hold-up at a money exchange in Omonia on September 22 and a shooting at a bar in the central neighborhood of Aghios Panteleimonas on October 6.
Police have arrested Albanian national Arber Bako, aged 31, in connection with the Mikrolimano attack, as well as another suspected accomplice, a 32-year-old Polish man.
The two men are believed to be part of a gang of at least 10 members.
The 32-year-old Polish man is believed to have been present at the Aghios Panteleimonas incident as well as in the deadly drive-by in Metaxourgeio.
He was released from custody in May after serving time for an armed robbery committed in March 2012.
