A Massachusetts man, Alexander Giannakakis, has been sentenced to 42 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into fires set at Jewish institutions in Arlington, Needham, and Chelsea, Massachusetts. The sentencing took place in Boston's federal court by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris. Giannakakis will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
In November 2024, Giannakakis admitted guilt to charges of concealing records in a federal investigation, tampering with documents and objects, and tampering with an official proceeding. His extradition from Sweden occurred in February 2024 after being indicted by a federal grand jury two years earlier.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented on the case: “Rather than assist authorities, Alexander Giannakakis chose instead to impede the FBI’s investigation by lying to investigators and destroying and concealing evidence.” She emphasized that obstructing law enforcement can lead to serious consequences.
Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, stated: "With today’s sentence, Alexander Giannakakis learned the hard way that the family ties that bind you together can also land you in federal prison." Cohen highlighted how Giannakakis destroyed evidence related to his brother's acts of domestic terrorism targeting Jewish institutions.
The investigation began when Giannakakis' younger brother became a suspect for setting four fires at Jewish sites around Boston in May 2019. The brother was hospitalized and remained in a coma until his death later that year. After being identified as a suspect, Giannakakis left for Sweden with his brother's electronic devices and documents but returned briefly to the U.S., where he misled investigators before fleeing again.
Authorities from both Sweden and the United States collaborated on this case. Substantial assistance came from Swedish authorities alongside various local police departments and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey prosecuted the case with support from multiple law enforcement agencies involved.
