Brother of Deceased Suspect in Jewish Arsons Pleads Guilty to Obstruction Charges

Alexander Giannakakis, the brother of a deceased suspect in a series of arson attacks on Boston-area Jewish institutions in 2019, has pleaded guilty to charges of obstructing the federal investigation. The plea, entered in federal court on Monday, concludes years of international legal proceedings following his extradition from Sweden earlier this year.

Giannakakis, formerly of Quincy, Massachusetts, admitted to concealing records, tampering with documents, and interfering with an official investigation. He faces sentencing on March 11, with each charge carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Arsons Targeting Jewish Institutions Sparked Federal Investigation

The investigation began after four arson attacks targeted Jewish institutions and businesses in May 2019. The first two fires occurred at a Chabad Center in Arlington on May 11 and May 16. A third incident struck a Chabad Center in Needham, followed by a fourth fire at a Jewish-affiliated business in Chelsea on May 26.

Federal authorities later identified Giannakakis’ younger brother as the prime suspect. However, the younger Giannakakis was hospitalized in a coma at the time of the investigation and died in 2020.

Efforts to Obstruct Investigation

According to prosecutors, Alexander Giannakakis concealed critical evidence related to the arson investigation, destroying documents and tampering with records. Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy condemned his actions.

“Alexander Giannakakis chose to destroy evidence and conceal these hate crimes,” Levy said. “It is incumbent on every person in the District of Massachusetts to call out acts of racism and bigotry, and to report hate crimes.”

International Legal Saga

At the time of his arrest in 2022, Giannakakis was working as a security officer at the U.S. embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Swedish authorities detained him, and he was later convicted of unrelated weapons charges, serving a sentence in Sweden that ended in December 2022.

In February 2023, he was extradited to the United States to face obstruction charges related to the arson investigation.

Potential Sentencing and Penalties

Each of the charges against Giannakakis carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing in federal court is set for March 11.