Retired General Manolis Sfakianakis officially returns to the "Attica Forward" faction of Nikos Hardalias in the Attica Region. According to Day2Day, the reintegration decision was signed on September 23, 2026 by the leader of the faction, following a request from the regional councilor himself. His return opens, as noted, a new chapter of joint effort, with consistency, unity and dedication to the public interest.
Manolis Sfakianakis was elected regional councilor in the Southern Sector of Attica in the local elections of October 2023 and remained committed to his duty towards the citizens throughout this period. He continued to support "Attica Forward" and to actively participate in the work of the Region, with a willingness to cooperate and with priority given to the real needs of the residents.
The man who set up the Cybercrime Prosecution
Few names in Greece are as closely tied to the digital security of citizens as that of Manolis Sfakianakis. He was born in 1963 in Spilia Kissamos, Chania, and, from 2004 to 2015, he led the Hellenic Police’s Cybercrime Unit, which he essentially built from scratch. Under his leadership, the unit became a point of reference for thousands of families seeking help against fraud, extortion, and online harassment.
After his retirement in 2017, he continued the same mission from another position. He founded the CSI Institute, the International Cybersecurity Institute that trains citizens, businesses and organizations, as well as The Crime Lab, the first scientific crime laboratory in Greece, which began operating in 2023. He has taught at the Police Academy and remains one of the most recognizable voices in the public debate on cybersecurity.
See also: Sfakianakis on the fraud with the fake Elon Musk
Candidate for president of the Pancretan Union of Attica
The return to "Attica Forward" coincides with another important challenge. Manolis Sfakianakis is a candidate for president of the Pancretan Union of Attica, the largest intellectual and cultural association in the country, in the elections that have been announced for Sunday, November 15, 2026 in Athens.
His vision is entitled “Pancretan without borders” and has a clear message: the historic union of Cretans of Attica is entering a new digital era. As he presented at the first major election event of his combination, according to the Lamiakos Typos, his goal is an interactive digital ecosystem that will bring the Cretans of the diaspora closer to the motherland. The cultural events of the union will be upgraded and, through the digital platform, will reach Cretans on four continents.
You can read more about his candidacy and program in our previous tribute: Manolis Sfakianakis: Candidate for president of Pancreti with a vision of "Crete without borders".
What can it bring to the Attica Region?
Attica, with around four million inhabitants, is at the forefront of digital threats: from scams with fake SMS and phone calls imitating banks, to ransomware attacks on municipalities, hospitals and small businesses. Artificial intelligence makes these scams even more convincing, with cloned voices and fake videos. In this environment, the presence of a person with the experience of Manolis Sfakianakis in the regional council is a real asset.
The editorial team of SecNews believes that his experience can contribute substantially in three areas:
- Citizen awareness: digital safety programs for seniors, parents, and students, a field in which he has worked for years.
- Shielding public services: better preparation of the Region's institutions against cyberattacks, in accordance with the requirements of the European NIS2 directive.
- Innovation and artificial intelligence: leveraging new technologies for faster and safer services to residents and businesses.
💡 Need help with an online fraud incident?
Contact The Crime Lab, the first scientific crime laboratory in Greece, for specialized investigation of your case. In addition, the CSI Institute offers digital security training programs for citizens, businesses and organizations. Both were founded and directed by retired General Manolis Sfakianakis, with over 20 years of experience in cybercrime investigation.
The return to "Attiki Brosta" and the prospect of renewal
The reinstatement of Manolis Sfakianakis in "Attiki Brosta" is not just a change in the composition of a faction. It brings back to the center of the regional project a man who has dedicated his life to the protection of citizens, in the field and in cyberspace. The editorial team of SecNews estimates that his return can bring real renewal and substantial development to the Attica Region, with an emphasis on technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, the sectors that will determine the lives of citizens in the coming years.
See also: Manolis Sfakianakis: The CSI Institute has landed in Mykonos
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