The safety of Albanian prisoners in Greece has once again come under the spotlight after a violent stabbing incident inside Malandrinos Prison, one of Greece’s high-security detention facilities. A 46-year-old Albanian national, Dhimitër Meci, originally from Labova e Poshtme, Gjirokastër, was seriously wounded with an improvised knife during his first day following a prison transfer.
The incident has caused shock and concern among Albanians both in Greece and Albania, reigniting debates about prison security, ethnic tensions, and the treatment of foreign inmates within the Greek correctional system.
What Happened at Malandrinos Prison?
According to official information, the attack occurred on the same day Meci was transferred from Korydallos Prison to Malandrinos Prison. The alleged attacker is a Greek inmate identified as E. Nousis, who faces charges related to criminal organization activities and was reportedly working in the prison cafeteria at the time.
Nousis allegedly stabbed Meci using a homemade knife, causing severe injuries that required immediate medical attention. The exact motive behind the attack remains under investigation, but the timing has raised serious questions, as Meci had just arrived at the facility.
Since his arrest in early December 2025, Meci had been held in the psychiatric ward of Korydallos Prison, making the transfer and subsequent attack even more alarming.
Who Is Dhimitër Meci?
Dhimitër Meci, also known as Dhimo Meci, is a well-known figure to Greek law enforcement authorities. Over the past two decades, he has been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted multiple times for a wide range of serious criminal offenses in Greece.
He was most recently arrested alongside Andrea Brokeri from Himara, Fatjon Prendi from Lezha, and several Greek nationals. The group was accused of attempting to assassinate Greek mafia figure Jani Lala in May 2025. Although that attempt failed, Lala was later executed by another criminal group, further complicating the case.
Following Meci’s arrest, police searches in his residences in both Greece and Albania reportedly uncovered a large weapons arsenal, reinforcing suspicions of deep involvement in organized crime networks.
A Long Criminal History in Greece
Meci’s criminal record in Greece dates back to 2004, when he was first arrested for the murder of a Syrian immigrant outside a prostitution venue in central Athens. While imprisoned at the rural prison of Kassandra, he was granted a nine-day leave, during which he allegedly participated in an armed robbery of a Pro-Po agency in Glyfada, stealing approximately €65,000.
He later claimed that the robbery was motivated by unpaid debts owed by the agency’s former manager, who himself was murdered months later. Meci was released on parole, only to be rearrested for violating parole conditions.
Over the years, he was linked to crimes including robbery, assault, illegal weapons possession, attempted murder, murder, and repeated traffic law violations.
Links to Organized Crime and Contract Killings
After his release in 2011, Greek authorities believe Meci became an enforcer and assistant within a criminal gang operating in Glyfada, Haidari, Kaminia, and Korydallos. Businesses under the gang’s control were allegedly forced to pay extortion fees of €100–€150 every two weeks, under threats of death.
Meci has also been suspected in multiple high-profile murders, including:
- Panagiotis Stivas (2006)
- Ali Saeed (2008)
- Giorgos Shabbat (2008)
- I.T. “Pitsila” (2014)
Greek police believe Meci fled to Albania after several killings and may have been paid up to €200,000 per contract killing.
Arrest and New Revelations
In December 2014, Meci was arrested in Sepolia, Athens, alongside Klodian Lekocaj (alias Klod Cara), a known leader of a criminal gang involved in contract killings. Two pistols were found in Meci’s possession, and he was later linked to an attempted murder in Halkidiki.
In 2018, while already imprisoned at Korydallos, investigators identified Meci as being involved in the 2012 murder of Albanian national Artin Kato in Peristeri, Athens. The victim was allegedly lured to Greece through fake Facebook messages sent from a female profile named “Anastasia”.
Although another criminal later claimed responsibility, Meci was sentenced to 10 years in prison as an accomplice.
Unfinished Plots and Ongoing Concerns
Greek police have also suspected Meci of planning assassinations against a high-ranking Greek police officer and notorious Greek mafia boss Manolis Karagianis (“Karaflas”), though Meci did not carry out those acts. Karagianis was eventually killed in 2018 by another group.
A Growing Concern for Albanians in Greek Prisons
The stabbing of Dhimitër Meci is not an isolated incident. Over the years, several Albanian inmates have been victims of violence inside Greek prisons, raising serious questions about:
- Prison safety
- Ethnic tensions
- Monitoring of high-risk inmates
- Access to mental health care
For the Albanian community, this case once again highlights the fragile reality many Albanian prisoners face abroad.
The violent attack against Dhimitër Meci inside Malandrinos Prison underscores the dangerous environment within high-security prisons in Greece, especially for foreign inmates. As investigations continue, the case serves as a grim reminder of the intersection between organized crime, prison violence, and international justice, while reigniting concerns among Albanians living and detained in Greece.