Raids on terrorist safehouses in Athens, Volos

Counter-terrorism police launched a coordinated raid on two suspected terrorist safehouses in Athens and Volos early on Monday in an ongoing investigation into the "Conspiracy of the Cores of Fire" urban terror group, and found a substantial arms cache.

The raids took place at dawn in the town of Nea Ionia near Volos and in Athens, and took in seven people -- five in Volos and two in Athens -- for questioning. The suspects are five men and two women.

Counter-terrorism police found and seized two Kalashnikov assault rifles, six pistols, a revolver, large amounts of ammunition, wigs, police uniforms, bulletproof vests, police wireless radios and beacons, PCs and other items that are being examined at the police crime lab.

According to police sources, three of the detainees are wanted for participation in the Cores of Fire.

Official announcements are to be made later in the day by police headquarters.