Arrest made over 2012 fire at Mount Athos

Police in northern Greece have arrested a 35-year-old Latvian national in connection with a large fire that burned for five days near the monastic community of Mount Athos in the summer of 2012, it was reported on Tuesday.

The suspect, who faces charges of arson with intent, was a regular visitor at the monastic community and has been identified by monks as having sought work at several monasteries.

It is estimated that the blaze, which started near the Hilandariou Monastery and threatened the community as well as residences in the broader area of Ouranoupoli, burned its way through some 4,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land.