A 37-year-old Albanian man was arrested on Easter Sunday after allegedly attempting to forcibly abduct three young boys near the village of Petrochori in Aetolia-Acarnania, western Greece, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. when the suspect, reportedly intoxicated, tried to force three minors — two brothers aged 9 and 13 and another boy aged 10 — into his vehicle on a rural road, police said.
The children's parents filed a formal complaint, prompting an immediate search by authorities.
Police located the suspect’s car and signaled him to stop, but he fled.
The vehicle was intercepted roughly 20 minutes later in the main square of the nearby town of Thermo.
The man underwent a breathalyzer test, and police sources indicated his blood alcohol levels were more than double the legal limit, registering 0.56 and 0.54 grams per liter in two readings, compared to the 0.25 threshold.
Authorities also discovered he was driving without a valid license.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, faces multiple charges, including attempted abduction, dangerous driving, traffic code violations, and resisting arrest.
The case has drawn significant public attention amid ongoing discussions about law enforcement, immigration, and child safety.
While political parties including Syriza and Pasok have yet to comment on the incident, local residents expressed outrage over the attempted abduction in a community still celebrating the Easter holiday.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
By Katia Niakari