Cretans connected to Zoniana raid face trial
The trial of 53 Cretans charged in connection with crimes ranging from attempted murder and drug dealing to money laundering begins today at a Piraeus court. Charges were brought against the 53 defendants following a police raid on the mountain village of Zoniana in November 2007, which resulted in a police officer being shot in the head. A subsequent police probe unraveled a web of criminal activity in the broader central prefecture of Rethymnon. Of the 53 defendants, seven face charges of the attempted murder of police officers, who were showered with gunfire when they tried to raid Zoniana. Of the remainder, 12 face charges of trading in cocaine, six are charged with the possession of and suspected trade in arms and 14 are accused of money laundering.
