Greek mayor charged with arson over wildfire near Athens

Published Aug 8, 08:39 PM UTC

Greek authorities have charged Giannis Apostolou, the mayor of Stylida, along with a contractor and the owner of a wind farm, with arson and damaging public utilities over a major wildfire that broke out near Athens on July 31, 2026. Investigators believe the fire was sparked by power cables at a wind farm near Agios Vasileios, 85 km northwest of Athens. Apostolou owns an electrical installation company linked to the wind farm. The fire, fanned by strong winds, spread rapidly, damaging over 120 buildings and homes in Porto Germeno and ravaging forests and olive groves. The wind farm owner is accused of failing to clear vegetation, and a previous fire on the same power line occurred on June 27. All three face potential jail sentences of over 10 years if convicted. Greece has suffered dozens of blazes since late July, leaving five dead, including three firefighters and two helicopter crew members.