Two suspected members of the Edik criminal group arrested in Athens

Greek authorities arrested two individuals on August 7, 2026, in Palaio Faliro, near Kallithea, as part of an ongoing crackdown on a Russian-speaking criminal organization led by an individual known as Edik. The detainees, aged 49 and 37, are reportedly nicknamed "Pitbull" and "Bulldog." The 49-year-old was the subject of an outstanding 2025 arrest warrant issued by the Extortion Department for his alleged roles in criminal conspiracy and extortion. The 37-year-old faces charges related to harboring a criminal.

Police sources indicate that the 49-year-old has a significant criminal history dating back to 2010, including charges for robbery, hostage-taking at a Piraeus bank, attempted murder, and illegal weapons possession. He is accused of belonging to an operational unit of the gang, which had been linked to extortion, violent attacks, and cigarette smuggling before being targeted by a major police operation in 2025. Law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to dismantle the organization and are currently awaiting the extradition of an additional suspected hitman linked to the broader "Greek Mafia" case.