Taxi driver severely injured in assault in Nea Ionia

On October 4, 2026, a 54-year-old female taxi driver was violently attacked by a 35-year-old male passenger in Nea Ionia, Athens. The incident occurred on Demirdesiou Street during the early morning hours after a dispute over a failed electronic card payment due to poor signal. According to reports, the passenger grabbed the victim by the throat and bit off part of her right ear while threatening to kill her. A bystander intervened by driving their vehicle toward the attacker to stop the assault, and the suspect was subsequently arrested by local authorities.

The victim was transported to Elpis Hospital for medical treatment and remains under care. During his interrogation, the suspect, who faces charges of severe bodily harm and threats, claimed to suffer from depression and requested a psychiatric evaluation. He alleged that the confrontation began when the driver performed sudden maneuvers while searching for a signal, causing him to hit his head. Following his testimony, the judge ordered the 35-year-old man to be held in custody pending further investigation.