On 2 February 2026, Greece’s Immigration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris ordered the shutdown of all illegal mosques operating in Athens and the deportation of foreign nationals running them, targeting roughly 60 unlicensed sites. The directive followed enforcement action against a Bangladeshi national who had been operating an unauthorized place of worship.
Authorities said the move formed part of a broader security and immigration enforcement framework built on data and investigations conducted between 2018 and 2026. Officials linked illegal residency networks to organised crime, migrant smuggling, violent and sexual offences, narcotics trafficking, deportation proceedings, and counter-terror probes. The crackdown also focused on unlicensed religious spaces allegedly operating outside regulatory oversight.
Below is a documented compilation of major enforcement and criminal cases cited in connection with the wider security assessment.
#1 Crackdown Announced on Illegal Mosques in Athens – February 2026 – Accused: Bangladeshi national
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris announced a coordinated operation to identify and shut down illegal mosques across the Municipality of Athens and deport foreign nationals operating them. The action followed the revocation of the residence permit of a Bangladeshi man running an unlicensed mosque in Agios Nikolaos. His premises were sealed, he was sentenced to prison for operating without a permit, and a deportation order was issued under Article 28 of Law 5224/2025 with no voluntary departure window. Authorities said around 60 illegal worship sites remain active today, down from over 100 last decade, and would face closure.
#2 Pakistani National Arrested for Sheltering Illegal Migrants – July 2025
A 19-year-old Pakistani national was arrested for providing shelter to three illegal migrants – one Afghan and two Eritrean nationals. Police said the migrants had entered Greece unlawfully after paying $3,000 each to a smuggling network operating out of Turkey. They lacked travel documentation and were reportedly planning onward movement to Athens. The accused was presented before a prosecutor. Authorities noted Greece’s continued role as a key EU entry point since 2015, with Frontex data recording a 14% rise in Eastern Mediterranean arrivals in early 2024.
#3 Pakistani Man Arrested in Rape Case Involving Indian Woman – February 2024
A 21-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on charges of raping a 40-year-old Indian woman. Police said he used his acquaintance with the victim’s nephew to gain access to her home, where he allegedly assaulted her, threatened her life, and recorded the act. Authorities said he raped her again after blackmailing her using the video. The victim later filed a complaint and identified him through photographs. He was arrested by the Oropou Security Department and remanded for judicial proceedings.
#4 Two Pakistanis Arrested Over Planned Terror Attack – March 2023
Greek counter-terror police arrested two Pakistani nationals accused of planning mass-casualty attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli sites. Intelligence support from Mossad indicated links to an Iran-backed network. Authorities said the suspects, aged 27 and 29, had entered Greece illegally from Turkey and were in advanced stages of operational planning. A third suspect abroad was charged in absentia. The plot reportedly targeted a high-symbolism Jewish facility in Athens.
#5 Pakistani Man Arrested for Murder of Greek Partner – September 2022
A 30-year-old Pakistani man was arrested for murdering his 35-year-old Greek partner, Ioanna. She was found dead in their basement apartment with fatal head injuries inflicted by a blunt object, her body wrapped in bedding. Reports indicated prior domestic abuse complaints. The accused fled Greece but was later arrested in the Netherlands and extradited. Authorities treated the case as domestic violence–related homicide.
#6 Pakistani National Sentenced for Serial Attacks on Women – January 2022
A Pakistani national received a seven-year prison sentence for a series of violent assaults targeting women. The primary case involved a young woman beaten and nearly raped while en route to visit her mother, saved by a cyclist’s intervention. Investigators later linked him to multiple similar attacks. Authorities identified 16 victims, with additional related cases remaining under judicial review.
#7 Illegal Migrant Arrested for Murder of Teenage Girl – August 2022
A 30-year-old Pakistani illegal immigrant, identified as Ahsan alias Sunni, was arrested for the murder of 17-year-old Nicoletta. Police said he possessed four identity documents with varying details and had a rejected asylum claim. Investigators said the killing followed an argument allegedly involving remarks about Islam. The crime was described as premeditated. He fled toward Kilkis before arrest.
#8 Pakistani Man Arrested for Attempted Assault on Child – January 2021
A 20-year-old Pakistani national, Ihtisham Ali, was arrested for attempting to sexually assault a five-year-old child. He worked at an equestrian club. Police acted after the child’s mother filed a complaint. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to the attempt. Juvenile Protection authorities launched a parallel probe into possible prior offences.
#9 Pakistani Arrested in Minor Sexual Abuse Case – January 2021
A 29-year-old Pakistani national was arrested after a probe into the long-term sexual abuse of a minor. Police said the abuse began in 2019. He allegedly attacked the victim with a knife and raped her, then threatened her to ensure silence. The abuse continued until she reported it in 2021, leading to arrest and prosecution.
#10 30 Illegal Pakistani Migrants Detained, Deported – August 2020
Greek authorities detained around 30 illegal Pakistani migrants following unrest triggered by workplace complaints and harassment allegations involving a Greek woman. Protests escalated into clashes, and a mosque used by migrants was attacked by local youths. Deportations followed amid broader illegal immigration concerns.
#11 Pakistani Man Arrested in Drugging and Assault Case – December 2020
Police arrested a Pakistani national accused of drugging, raping, and confining two underage girls aged 16 and 17. The victims escaped and alerted authorities. Searches uncovered cannabis, heroin, and dozens of pills. Investigations continued under Greek criminal law.
#12 Two Pakistanis Arrested for Kidnapping and Rape – September 2020
Two Pakistani nationals, aged 34 and 45, were arrested in Thessaloniki after a 20-year-old Greek woman accused them of kidnapping and rape. Police said they forcibly took her to an apartment and assaulted her. She later filed a complaint leading to arrests and prosecution.
#13 Monitoring Tightened on Migrant Networks After Security Incidents – October 2020
Following the Moria refugee campfire that displaced 12,000 migrants, Greek authorities increased monitoring of migrant networks, particularly those involving Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals. Investigations included illegal immigration, organised crime links, and unlicensed worship spaces.
#14 Pakistani National Arrested with 11 kg Heroin – December 2018
A 43-year-old Pakistani national was arrested attempting to smuggle 11.18 kg of heroin via a false luggage compartment after arriving from Lahore via Doha. Authorities linked the seizure to transnational narcotics networks.
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