Fire in Veikou Grove: Twist in the case of the arrested beekeeper as video shows him fighting the flames

A recent video has overturned the case against a 45-year-old beekeeper arrested in connection with a fire that broke out in Veikou Grove. The footage, released by ERT, shows the man actively trying to put out the flames with a bucket of water just minutes after the fire started.

The fire ignited in dry grass shortly before noon on Thursday. At the time, the beekeeper and another individual were reportedly tending to their beehives nearby, using a smoker on the bees. The Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes had identified the beekeeper from a different video after the fire was extinguished, showing him leaving the scene. Subsequently, charges were filed against him for causing the fire.

The beekeeper voluntarily presented himself to authorities on Thursday evening, leading to his arrest and referral to the prosecutor. He also faced an administrative fine of 3,557.81 euros. However, the newly surfaced video documenting his efforts to combat the blaze introduces a significant new element to the investigation, raising questions about the initial assessment of his role.