Α police case file concerning the activities of organized supporters of Thessaloniki soccer club Aris reveals details of the informal war declared between rival clubs in the northern port city.
The investigation led to the arrest of 20 suspects on July 1, mainly in northern Greece, who authorities believe have attacked members of rival teams and sold drugs, even within sports venues.
The investigation began last January after the police Department for Combating Organized Sports Violence received an anonymous email with a three-minute video attached. The video was a compilation of edited footage of attacks by Aris’ fans against PAOK fans, some of which had not been previously reported to the police.
The unknown sender wrote that police would be responsible if these “murderous” attacks lead to deaths.
The suspects’ phones were tapped and police discovered they were known to the authorities, as many had been accused of serious offenses in the past.
