Armed former employee takes hostages at the HELESI factory in Komotini

Hours of anxiety in Komotini, where a sacked former employee of HELESI PLC is holding two hostages at the company’s factory, while he has also injured company owner Sakis Andrianopoulos, one foreman and one policeman, who are already in the hospital and out of danger according to information obtained.

A while ago, the perpetrator let one of three former colleagues go. However, he is still holding two hostages and is refusing to surrender.

EKAM (SWAT) forces from Thessaloniki are arriving on the spot after an appeal by the prefect of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The plant has been surrounded by police, while hostage negotiators are trying to persuade the hostage-taker to release the hostages.

The perpetrator, a 62-year-old former employee, entered the site holding a shotgun, with which he shot a driver and then the owner.

Both were transported to “Sismanoglio” hospital in Komotini and are reportedly out of danger.

From what is now known the armed man, a father of two children, chose this way to avenge his dismissal from the company nine months ago, which he considers illegal.

As sources report, the man has psychological problems and had been sacked after he caused problems in the workplace.