Greek bishops hospitalised with burns after attack with caustic liquid during church meeting
- A 37-year-old priest, who was facing a hearing over drug-related offences, was arrested and detained for questioning
- Police said it was not immediately clear what liquid was used, but that the victims were being treated for burns
Seven senior members of Greece’s Orthodox Church and three others were hospitalised with burns on Wednesday after being attacked with a caustic liquid, allegedly by a priest facing a disciplinary hearing, authorities said.
The incident occurred at a meeting in Athens of senior bishops. The 37-year-old priest, who was facing the hearing for alleged drug-related offences, was arrested unharmed and detained for questioning.
A police officer who helped restrain the suspect was also injured, as were a lawyer and a presiding clergyman. They were transferred to state hospitals, for treatment, and two clergymen were described as being in more serious condition.
Police said it was not immediately clear what liquid was used, but that the victims were being treated for burns.
“I express my abhorrence at this unprecedented event,” Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou wrote in a tweet after contacting Archbishop Ieronymos, the leader of the Greek church. Most of the victims hold the senior rank of metropolitan bishop
Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias visited an Athens hospital where the bishops were initially treated, joined by Archbishop Ieronymos. Ieronymos told reporters he was “deeply saddened” by the attack but relieved that none of the injuries were considered by doctors to be life-threatening.
