Thieves in Black
Encyclopedia
The Thieves in Black is a media-coined name given to a supposed anarchist
group responsible for numerous bank robberies
in Athens
, Greece
. The Thieves in Black began operating in 2002 and have netted over 500,000 euro
s in their heists as of mid-2005.
In 2005, Petros Karasaridis, Giorgos Kalaitzidis and Panayiotis Aspiotis were taken into custody in connection with an anarchist firebombing
in Athens, suspected by authorities of membership in the Thieves in Black. All three of them, after one and one-and-a-half years in prison, respectively, were found not guilty and released from prison.
In early 2006, following a shootout
at the National Bank
in central Athens, police injured and captured Yiannis Dimitrakis a suspected member of the Thieves in Black. He was alleged to be carrying two semi-automatic
guns, hand grenades, and stolen cash.
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
group responsible for numerous bank robberies
Bank robbery
Bank robbery is the crime of stealing from a bank during opening hours. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, robbery is "the taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The Thieves in Black began operating in 2002 and have netted over 500,000 euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s in their heists as of mid-2005.
In 2005, Petros Karasaridis, Giorgos Kalaitzidis and Panayiotis Aspiotis were taken into custody in connection with an anarchist firebombing
Firebombing
Firebombing is a bombing technique designed to damage a target, generally an urban area, through the use of fire, caused by incendiary devices, rather than from the blast effect of large bombs....
in Athens, suspected by authorities of membership in the Thieves in Black. All three of them, after one and one-and-a-half years in prison, respectively, were found not guilty and released from prison.
In early 2006, following a shootout
Shootout
A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups. A shootout often, but not necessarily, pits law enforcement against criminal elements; it could also involve two groups outside of law enforcement, such as rival gangs. A shootout in a military context A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups....
at the National Bank
National bank
In banking, the term national bank carries several meanings:* especially in developing countries, a bank owned by the state* an ordinary private bank which operates nationally...
in central Athens, police injured and captured Yiannis Dimitrakis a suspected member of the Thieves in Black. He was alleged to be carrying two semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
guns, hand grenades, and stolen cash.