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Mystery in the death of 29-year-old Coast Guard officer in Greece, a suspected Albanian

Politiko 2025-04-27 18:03:15

Mystery in the death of 29-year-old Coast Guard officer in Greece, a suspected

Greek authorities have launched investigations into the mysterious death of 29-year-old Nikos Karaklas, a member of the Coast Guard's Narcotics Unit, who was found hanging in the chapel of Panagia Faneromeni in Sigri, on the island of Lesvos.

Initially, the event was treated as a suicide, but suspicions raised by family members about a staged scenario have led to the opening of new investigative leads, including that of murder.

A few hours before Karaklas was found dead, a large quantity of drugs – 8 kilograms of marijuana and 1 kilogram of cocaine – was seized in a truck that had arrived from the port of Piraeus in Lesvos. In connection with this case, a 30-year-old Greek man has been arrested, while an Albanian is being sought. Police are also investigating the possibility of these events being involved in the death of the 29-year-old.

His family has stressed that the young man had never shown signs of depression or suicidal tendencies. His mother has claimed that he had received threats before and that "he used to gamble for a lot of money", implying possible links to criminal activity.

New details have added to the suspicions: Karaklas was found hanging in a position where his feet touched the ground, a fact that raises questions about a staging. He was on medical leave, but other sources suggest that he may have been on duty for the anti-drug operation at the port. That same day, Karaklas was moving in his official vehicle, without the trained K9 dog that usually accompanied him.

Furthermore, his cell phone and shoes were found about 87 kilometers from where the body was discovered, further adding to the uncertainty over what happened in the final hours of his life.

His family has hired a forensic technical consultant for an independent expertise and has filed a lawsuit against a police officer who had previously commented on social media about the coast guard's possible links to drug trafficking networks.

Investigations are focusing on uncovering Karaklas' recent contacts, with the aim of understanding whether he had any fights with other people - as he was found with wounds to his face and other parts of his body - and to clarify how he ended up in Sigri after an hour and a half journey from his home in Moria.

Answers are expected to come from analysis of the cellphone and evidence being collected from his close circle.

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