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Crete: Four arrested for brutal attack on shepherd, whose tongue was partially cut
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Crete: Four arrested for brutal attack on shepherd, whose tongue was partially cut

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Police arrested four people in Crete for a brutal 2024 attack on a 69-year-old shepherd, which included cutting part of his tongue.
  • Authorities identified six suspects, including a court employee allegedly using her position to aid the investigation.
  • One of the arrested men is already imprisoned for a separate attack on a relative of the victim.

Authorities in Rethymno, Crete, have arrested four individuals in connection with a violent assault on a 69-year-old shepherd in September 2024. The attack, described as one of the most shocking and brutal in Crete's history, resulted in severe injuries to the victim, including the partial removal of his tongue.

Four locals aged 42, 52, 55 and 66 were arrested today (25.07.2026) in an area of the Municipality of Rethymno, for whom arrest warrants were issued by the Investigating Judge of Rethymno Primary Court for criminal group, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, and Weapons Law.

— Police statementOfficial police statement detailing the arrests and charges.

Six people have been identified in connection with the case: four men and two women, all originating from Crete. Among those implicated is a court employee, whose role in potentially influencing the police investigation is under scrutiny. Reports suggest she may have used her professional position to provide information that could have aided those involved.

Specifically, on 06.09.2024 in an area of the Municipality of Rethymno, an unknown person entered the livestock farm of the 71-year-old, with their facial features covered, and shot him with a firearm, injuring him and causing bodily harm.

— Police statementOfficial police statement describing the initial attack.

Arrest warrants were issued for the four men, and police have apprehended them. One of the arrested men is already serving time in prison for a serious criminal offense, specifically an attack on a relative of the 69-year-old victim. The second woman identified in the case has not yet been arrested, and authorities continue their investigation to fully clarify the incident and assign legal responsibility.

Following a months-long police investigation and preliminary inquiry... the above four locals were found to be involved in the said case.

— Police statementOfficial police statement on the outcome of the investigation.

The arrests were made on July 25, 2026, following a months-long police investigation. The suspects, aged 42, 52, 55, and 66, face charges including criminal group involvement, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses. The initial attack occurred on September 6, 2024, when an assailant, with their face covered, shot and injured the shepherd at his livestock farm.

The 42-year-old is already imprisoned in a Correctional Facility for another case.

— Police statementOfficial police statement noting one suspect's prior incarceration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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