89-year-old man held after shootings in Athens

ATHENS (AFP) — Greek police on Tuesday arrested an 89-year-old man after two shootings wounded four people in Athens, reportedly sparked by problems with pension payments.

The pensioner, who was said to have psychological issues, was detained in Patras, some 125 miles from the capital, after several hours at large.

He was tracked down to a hotel near the bus station in the port city and found in possession of a weapon, public television channel ERT reported.

State news agency ANA said the man, described as a scrap dealer, had initially shot an employee of the state pension organization EFKA in the leg in central Athens.

He then fired his weapon at a court office several blocks away, lightly wounding three women working there and leaving a fourth in shock.

All were taken to hospital but were not in danger, ERT said.

“I saw the whole thing … he was firing at the ground,” an eyewitness told the station.

ERT broadcast surveillance camera footage showing a man described as the suspect, dressed in a dark coat and a cap, leaving the EFKA office on foot.

News reports said the man, who had been treated at a mental hospital in 2018, left a shotgun at the court office, as well as letters complaining about not being able to get a pension.

Athens court staff announced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in protest at the incident, which they blamed on poor security at court buildings.

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By Agence France-Presse