Firebomb attacks on New Democracy officials in Thessaloniki – one dead
Three firebomb attacks on residences of New Democracy officials in Thessaloniki claimed the life of a politician's mother. The Counter-Terrorism Service has taken over the investigation.
Firebomb attacks on New Democracy officials – politician's mother dead
Authorities have launched a manhunt following three firebomb attacks on residences of New Democracy officials in the early hours in Thessaloniki. The mother of politician Aphrodite Nestor, Vagia, lost her life in the attacks, according to reports by In.gr.
Also targeted were the residence of Zisis Iakimovits, president of the New Democracy Administrative Committee for Thessaloniki, and that of former deputy Savvas Anastasiadis for the B' Thessaloniki district. The two men spoke to MEGA and claimed that the perpetrators likely belong to the anti-establishment movement and that their arrest is imminent.
"It aimed at murder"
Zisis Iakimovits characterised the attack as an act against Democracy and not merely against New Democracy. "I believe that the criminal firebomb attack on the homes of all three New Democracy officials is not directed against New Democracy — it is directed against every person who believes that differences are resolved through dialogue and not through violence," he stated. He noted that he had not received previous threats, but recalled that in 2023 both his home and that of Mr Anastasiadis had been targeted, but only with paint.
"In my home we only had material damage — shutters and blinds were burnt. It did not have the extent that it had in Ms Nestor's home," Iakimovits added, noting that authorities had informed him that the arrest of the perpetrators was imminent.
Former deputy Savvas Anastasiadis was even more categorical: "Yesterday's attack was purely terrorist, indiscriminate, cowardly, which aimed at murder". He described how the firebomb was placed at the entrance of an apartment building at 4:17 and caught fire, with a tragedy on a larger scale being prevented only thanks to the timely intervention of a resident. "If a resident had not managed to extinguish the fire, we would have had the same outcome that Ms Nestor unfortunately had with the loss of her mother," he said.
Anastasiadis also expressed puzzlement at the choice of targets: "I cannot understand how they remembered me when I have been away from active politics for three years. None of the three of us are involved in active politics and decision-making. I never had a bodyguard, I never had threats even when I was a deputy."
Counter-Terrorism Service takes over investigation
The Counter-Terrorism Service has taken over the case, working in cooperation with local police authorities. According to Anastasiadis, the Counter-Terrorism Service has already secured footage from security cameras in the area. Every available piece of evidence is being examined with the aim of identifying and arresting the perpetrators.
Source: In.gr