Fire Near Athens, Mayor of Stylida Remanded in Custody on Arson Charges

Giannis Apostolou, the mayor of Stylida, has been remanded in custody by Greek authorities over the fire that burned vast areas of forest near Athens last week.

Investigators suspect the fire may have been caused by a spark from electrical cables managed by a private company near the coastal village of Agios Vasileios, approximately 85 kilometers northwest of the Greek capital.

Winds of up to 130 kilometers per hour fueled the rapid spread of the flames across the southern slopes of Mount Kithairon, bringing them close to a town located around 40 kilometers from Athens.

Apostolou runs an electrical installation company linked to a wind turbine park in the affected area. He and a contractor face charges of arson and damage to public infrastructure, and if convicted, each could face more than ten years in prison.