Crete: Ex-deputy mayor and son arrested over village headman's death

A former deputy mayor and his son have been arrested in connection with the death of Alexandros Daskalakis, the 49-year-old headman of Apessokari in Heraklion, Crete. Daskalakis died three months after suffering severe head fractures, which a medical examiner attributed to a shepherd's crook. The arrests followed a police investigation that focused on establishing the presence of the suspects near the scene of the attack at the critical time.

The incident occurred on March 1, when Daskalakis left his home to deliver food to a worker on his land. He returned shortly after, disoriented and with memory loss, collapsing in front of his wife. He fought for his life in intensive care for 21 days before passing away. Residents have described a climate of fear and intimidation in the area, with reports of disputes over grazing land and repeated damage to Daskalakis's property by certain shepherds.

The investigation gained momentum through the use of technology, including phone location data, and accounts from individuals who may have witnessed or heard something on the day of the attack. Police sources noted that the isolated nature of the area, with limited human traffic, aided the investigation. A key witness reportedly provided video evidence showing one of the accused moving towards the attack site.

Initial suspicions among locals had reportedly focused on the arrested father and son. The case has also drawn attention from media, with reports suggesting a long-standing issue of illegal grazing and intimidation that kept the local community in silence. The attack on Daskalakis, whom locals describe as having "sacrificed himself for his village," has galvanized residents to unite against the fear.