Greece vows crackdown after deadly arson attacks target ruling party officials
The government has pledged "zero tolerance" for terrorism after coordinated arson attacks targeting the homes of ruling New Democracy officials in Thessaloniki left one woman dead and several others injured, prompting widespread political condemnation.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Wednesday's attacks as a "cowardly, terrorist, murderous attack" and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
"There will be zero tolerance for any new form of terrorism," Mitsotakis said after visiting Thessaloniki to meet party officials and receive a briefing on the condition of the victims. "We have left these times behind us."
The pre-dawn attacks targeted properties linked to New Democracy regional committee president Zisis Ioakeimobits, former lawmaker Savvas Anastasiadis and party candidate Afroditi Nestora in the Toumba, Pylaia and Charilaou districts.
Vagia Nestora, 72, the mother of Afroditi Nestora, died after suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation in the attack on her daughter's home. Several other people were injured.
Police said the investigation has been taken over by the Counterterrorism Unit, which is working alongside local authorities. Initial findings suggest the perpetrators used motorcycles to move between the three locations and detonated improvised incendiary devices in rapid succession.
Ruling party announces anti-terrorism demonstration
In response to the attacks, New Democracy and its youth wing, ONNED, have called an anti-terrorism demonstration for Thursday evening outside Thessaloniki's Ippokrateio Hospital, where Vagia Nestora died from her injuries.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nestora family," the party said in a statement.
"We will all be there; we will not be afraid," it added.
Political leaders condemn attack
Leaders across Greece's political spectrum condemned the violence and expressed condolences to the victim's family.
PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis called for those responsible to be identified, prosecuted and punished, saying that "in a democratic society governed by the rule of law, there can be no tolerance for such criminal acts."
Former prime minister Alexis Tsipras described the incident as "a shocking loss of human life in a criminal arson attack," stressing that terrorism has no place in a democracy and that protecting human life is a shared responsibility.
SYRIZA also condemned the attack, saying the loss of life caused deep sorrow and reiterating that political violence has no place in a democratic society.
The attacks have revived concerns over politically motivated violence in Greece, which for decades faced attacks by extremist groups, although major domestic terrorist organisations were dismantled years ago. Authorities have yet to announce any arrests as investigations continue.
Source:Kathimerini
