Reports from state television station HRT on Saturday confirm the arrest of nine soccer fans by Croatian police, acting on European warrants tied to their alleged involvement in a lethal outbreak of violence that transpired in Greece last month. According to the report, Greece had issued arrest warrants for ten supporters of Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb soccer club, yet one individual remains at large. Croatia’s Justice Ministry officially disclosed that they had received notification of these warrants from the Croatian police.
The suspects, recognized as members of the “Bad Blue Boys” fan group, are under suspicion for their participation in the August turmoil that unfolded in Athens and tragically claimed the life of one individual.
In parallel developments, Greece has already apprehended numerous Croatian soccer fans in connection with the violence. The incident, which transpired outside AEK Athens’ stadium, led to the tragic stabbing death of a 29-year-old Greek fan and the subsequent cancellation of a Champions League qualifier involving Dinamo Zagreb. Amateur footage of the attack depicted scores of young individuals brandishing bats and iron bars as they surged past the stadium amid the detonation of flares and firebombs, resulting in injuries sustained by ten people.