A 60-year-old man was arrested for a second time in five days after allegedly starting two more wildfires in Messenia, southern Greece, just two days after being released on bail for two earlier arson incidents, authorities said.
The man was first arrested August 27 for allegedly setting two fires using an open flame on August 26 and 27. He appeared before the Kalamata Prosecutor's Office and was released under restrictive conditions. On Sunday, August 30, he allegedly set two more fires in dry grass near Messini, at 4 p.m. and 5:40 p.m., again using an open flame.
Investigators from the Messenia Arson Crimes Investigation Unit, part of the Fire Service's Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes, quickly identified him as the suspect and rearrested him under summary proceedings.
He now faces a new case file for repeated and continuous arson, bringing the total to four fires in five days. He remains in custody and is due to appear before the Kalamata Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday, September 1.
Fire investigators said their work identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the wave of blazes continues at full intensity.