Chaos erupted late Wednesday evening (24 June 2026) at Athens’ Attikon University General Hospital, when a 93-year-old man attempted to enter the hospital room of acclaimed Greek actress Maro Kontou while carrying a kitchen knife. A security guard disarmed him on the spot and immediately alerted police.
Arrest and Release
The elderly man was taken into custody but later released under a prosecutor’s verbal order. Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into the incident, focusing on his motives for entering the hospital and approaching Kontou’s room.
Man’s Statement
In an exclusive interview with Live News, the 93-year-old said: “I always carry a knife — not for harm. I walk at night; I intended to turn back. Now they tell me she’s in the internal medicine ward. Maybe I’d have found her outside. As soon as I arrived, everyone surrounded me. I’m an orphan — motherless and fatherless. My father was from Constantinople.”
Kontou’s Health Condition
According to hospital sources, Kontou — who turned 92 last Sunday — was not informed about the incident Wednesday night, to avoid distress. She remains hospitalized at Attikon for the second week following injuries sustained in a fall at home.
Safety Concerns Raised
While no harm came to Kontou, the near-incident has spotlighted serious concerns about hospital security protocols across Greece — particularly in wards housing vulnerable or high-profile patients.