Thessaloniki, Greece. Greece’s governing New Democracy party called on supporters to protest on Thursday after the mother of one of its parliamentary candidates died from severe burns suffered in a firebomb attack. The attacks targeted three homes of local party figures in Thessaloniki before dawn on Tuesday.
Victim dies after attack
Vagia Nestora, 72, the mother of New Democracy candidate Afroditi Nestora, died of organ failure after suffering burns over 80% of her body, according to a hospital statement. The candidate also suffered burns, and three other people were wounded.
Details of the attacks
Attackers placed flaming gas canisters at three homes of local figures from the governing party, causing explosions. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Government response
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the country had witnessed “an extreme coordinated murderous attack against three New Democracy officials in Thessaloniki.”
He described the incident as “a cowardly act by extreme exponents of violence who operate under the guise of a so-called ideology against three people simply because they do not agree with their ideology.”
He added: “The message we are sending is clear: Terrorism will not win! No one will be afraid.”
Party rally and investigation
New Democracy and its youth branch, ONNED, called for a rally on Thursday evening outside the hospital where the woman died to honour the victim and protest against such attacks.
In a statement, the party said: “We are not afraid of you,” adding that its members stand “united against terrorism”.
A police anti-terrorism unit has taken charge of the investigation. Police spokeswoman Constantina Dimoglidou told Greek media that evidence indicated the attacks were probably coordinated, and officers were examining video footage to determine whether the same group carried out all three attacks.
Context of political violence
The attack was the first time in more than a decade that a person was killed in an attack targeting Greek politicians. Greece has a decades-long history of political violence, including bombings and arson attacks, but assassinations became rare 20 years ago after leaders of left-wing militant groups were jailed.