ATHENS, Greece – Two men accused of planning the Passover attack on a Jewish center in central Athens appeared in court Friday to answer terrorism charges.
Greek authorities announced the arrest of the suspects earlier this week and described the Iranian-born men as men of Pakistani origin.
Police alleged that they planned to attack the Chabad center in Athens, which is part of the international Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The Jewish center hosts religious services, as well as a kosher restaurant and grocery.
Passover, one of the most important Jewish holidays, begins next Wednesday at sundown.
Investigators are trying to determine if the suspects were planning attacks at other locations. Police are searching many locations in Athens and southern Greece and on the western island of Zakynthos.
The arrested men are scheduled to appear before a public prosecutor, who is expected to order their pre-trial detention.
A third man, a suspected fixer believed to be in Iran, is wanted for questioning and charged with terrorism-related offenses in absentia.
Israel thanked the Greek government for its response and said its national intelligence agency, Mossad, had provided information about the suspects, including that they were part of a terrorist network in Iran.
