Mother of prospective MP killed in firebomb attack in Thessaloniki
A 72-year-old mother of a prospective New Democracy MP succumbed to burns covering 80 per cent of her body following a firebomb attack using liquefied petroleum gas canisters in Thessaloniki.
Mother of prospective MP killed in firebomb attack in Thessaloniki
A 72-year-old woman, mother of prospective MP Aphrodite Nestora with New Democracy, died from organ failure caused by severe burns covering 80 per cent of her body. The incident occurred following a firebomb attack that took place in the early hours of Tuesday in Thessaloniki.
The perpetrators placed liquefied petroleum gas canisters that they had set alight outside three residences belonging to local officials of the ruling party. The resulting explosions caused severe injuries to several people.
Vaya Nestora, the prospective candidate's mother, succumbed to her injuries in hospital. The prospective MP herself was also wounded by burns, whilst three other people were injured in the attacks.
This is the first fatal attack against Greek politicians in more than a decade. The country has a long history of political violence, including bomb attacks and arson, but killings have been rare for twenty years, since leading members of left-wing armed organisations were imprisoned.
The ruling party and its youth wing, ONNЕД, called on their supporters to gather for a protest rally on Thursday evening outside the hospital where the unfortunate woman died. "We do not fear you," they stated in a statement, emphasising that they stand "united against terrorism".
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis characterised the incident as "an extremely coordinated murderous attack" and "a cowardly act by extreme exponents of violence acting under the guise of a purported ideology". The counter-terrorism service of the Hellenic Police undertook the investigation of the attacks.
Hellenic Police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidu stated to the media that the evidence suggests the attacks were likely coordinated. The authorities are examining video footage to determine whether the same group of perpetrators carried out all three attacks.
Source: Cyprus Mail
Source: Cyprus Mail