A Greek court has ordered two young men held in custody on arson charges in connection with a devastating wildfire in the Sichaina area of Patras, while a third suspect in a separate blaze has denied any involvement, claiming he was a volunteer firefighter.
The two men, aged 19 and 27, were remanded on charges of repeated and joint arson after the Sichaina fire destroyed large areas of forest, farmland, and homes.
The 19-year-old has reportedly confessed to starting the fire and led police to the ignition point.
In a related case, a 25-year-old man accused of arson for a fire in the Girókomeio area is scheduled to appear before an investigator on Monday.
His lawyers, Theofanis A. Christopoulos and Panagiotis S. Kapotas, issued a statement claiming their client was present "solely as a volunteer assisting in firefighting efforts" and that photographs showing him at the scene create a "false impression."
They said witnesses have affirmed he was actively combating the flames.