Greek Police expanding informant networks to tackle terrorism

The Greek Police (ELAS) is planning to boost its anti-terror capacity by drastically expanding its network of informants, Kathimerini understands.

The confidential plan for the creation of an extensive network of sources was hatched in closed-door meetings at the Citizens Protection Ministry and has reportedly already been activated – with the mobilization of foreign nationals at Greek detention centers to garner information regarding the activities of radicalized Islamist terrorists.

A ministry source said that 30 foreign nationals, from Pakistan, Iraq, Syria and North Africa, have already been enlisted.

The same strategy is already being used by security services in European Union member-states including Italy and Germany.

Greek police are expanding this strategy in a bid to root out Greek urban terror groups in the wake of last month’s attack on former prime minister Lucas Papademos.