Man accused of burning father alive remanded in custody

An investigative magistrate Thursday ordered the pre-trial detention of a 45-year-old man from Thessaloniki accused of dousing his elderly father with gasoline and setting him on fire.

The suspect faces felony charges of intentional homicide, attempted homicide and human life-endangering arson.

The alleged crime took place on Sunday at the suspect’s apartment on Vassilisis Olgas Street which he shared with his elderly parents and his 46-year-old brother.

The suspect’s brother and 86-year-old mother also suffered burns and had to be treated in hospital, while firemen were called in to put out the blaze.

The man was detained later in the day after police traced him to another house where he fled to avoid arrest.

The man’s lawyer said his client has mental problems and called for a psychological evaluation, a request that was accepted by judicial officials.