Greek politician's mother dies after suspected arson attacks in Thessaloniki

The mother of a politician from Greece's ruling New Democracy party has died after an explosion and fire at an apartment building in Thessaloniki, in one of three suspected arson attacks targeting party officials. Vagia Nestora, 72, suffered extensive burns and multiple organ failure after being taken to hospital, according to officials. Police said the attacks took place within minutes of each other in the northern city in the early hours of Wednesday.

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Hospital officials said Ms Nestora was admitted in a critical condition with burns covering about 80% of her body and later died despite intensive care treatment. Her daughter, Afroditi Nestora, who is a party candidate, was also injured and remains in hospital with burns and smoke inhalation. Afroditi Nestora's father, who has underlying health problems, and two other residents were also admitted after suffering breathing difficulties.

Police said improvised incendiary devices had been placed outside the apartment building, triggering the blast and fire. The explosion destroyed two cars, damaged several motorcycles and caused extensive damage to the building. The two other attacks targeted the homes of Zisis Ioakeimovits, chairman of New Democracy's Thessaloniki administrative committee, and former New Democracy MP Savvas Anastasiadis.

No injuries were reported in those incidents. Reports suggested the three attacks took place at 04:18, 04:23 and 04:35, and police believe the same perpetrators carried them out, possibly travelling by motorcycle. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the death exposed the "murderous and inhumane nature" of political violence and called for a united response to "banish terrorism to the margins".

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He had earlier said those who carried out such attacks under the guise of social struggle were "nothing more than criminals" and would be treated as such. Opposition leader Nikos Androulakis also said those responsible must be arrested, brought to justice and punished. The comments underline the sensitivity of the case, which has been treated as a security matter rather than an isolated criminal incident.

The attacks come against the backdrop of political violence in a country where arson and petrol bomb attacks have periodically been used to target public figures and institutions. In this case, the apparent coordination of three incidents in quick succession has raised concern about the ability of attackers to strike multiple locations before police can intervene. Greece's Counter-Terrorism Service has taken over the investigation, indicating that authorities are treating the case as potentially organised and politically motivated.

No group has said it was behind the attacks and no arrests have been made. It remains unclear who planned the incidents, whether the same people carried them out, and what motive investigators will establish. The key questions now are whether police can identify the perpetrators from the timing and method of the attacks, and whether further security measures will be taken around political figures and party offices in Thessaloniki and beyond.

#Greece #Thessaloniki #arson #politicalviolence #NewDemocracy

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