Categories: U.S.

Brother of deceased suspect in alleged anti-Semitic arson spree pleads not guilty

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 15

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

The brother of a man suspected in four arsons involving Jewish institutions in the Boston area in 2019 pleaded not guilty in federal court Thursday to charges that he obstructed the investigation.

Alexander Giannakakis, 37, formerly of Quincy, Massachusetts, was working in security at the U.S. embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, when he was arrested by Swedish authorities in 2022. He was recently extradited.

Giannakakis is due back in court on Feb. 22.

RHODE ISLAND MAN CHARGED WITH SETTING FIRES AROUND MAJORITY-BLACK CHURCH

Giannakakis’ brother was hospitalized in a coma at the time he was identified as a suspect in February 2020, and he died that year. Federal authorities did not name him.

A man whose deceased brother was accused of setting fire to multiple Boston-area Jewish institutions has pleaded not guilty to obstruction.

Giannakakis was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in 2019 on charges of making false statements involving domestic terrorism; falsifying a material fact in a matter involving domestic terrorism; concealing records in a federal investigation; tampering with documents; and tampering with an official proceeding.

Giannakakis was convicted in Sweden of unlawfully possessing a firearm and other weapons. He served a sentence in a Swedish prison that ended in December. The Swedish government granted the U.S. extradition request Dec. 21, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

According to the indictment, around February 2020, Giannakakis’ younger brother became the prime suspect in an investigation into four fires set at Jewish-related institutions in the Boston area.

The first occurred May 11, 2019, at a Chabad Center in Arlington; the second at the same location on May 16, 2019; the third at a Chabad Center in Needham; and the fourth on May 26, 2019, at a Jewish-affiliated business in Chelsea.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The charges of making false statements in a matter involving domestic terrorism and of falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact in a matter involving domestic terrorism carry a sentence of up to eight years in prison. The charges of concealing records in a federal investigation, tampering with documents and objects, and tampering with an official proceeding each carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Share

Recent Posts

Russia calls Trump threats to bomb Iran ‘illegal and unacceptable’

close Video Trump speaks to reporters about Russia, Iran and a third term President Donald…

18 minutes ago

South Korean president removed from office four months after declaring martial law

close Video Expert says South Korean president's failed martial law declaration attempt a ‘blunder,' to…

18 minutes ago

Mexico to dump millions of gallons of sewage into Tijuana River, US continues to be a dumping ground: Official

close Video California beaches close after 8 million gallons of sewage is discharged into Pacific…

28 minutes ago

Georgia and Alabama suspects make plea in sextortion scam that led to Michigan teen’s suicide

close Video Father of sextortion victim fights for justice High schooler Jordan DeMay’s father John…

28 minutes ago

Multiple people struck and killed by Amtrak train near Philadelphia

close Video Pennsylvania officials confirm 3 people fatally struck by train Bristol Borough Police Chief…

28 minutes ago

Man miraculously walks away after driving truck over cliff into Niagara Falls Gorge

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 3 Fox News Flash top headlines…

28 minutes ago