Thessaloniki ND Official Calls Attacks on Party Members 'Targeted Assault on Democracy'

Zisis Ioakimovic, president of the ruling New Democracy (ND) party's committee in Thessaloniki, has condemned a series of coordinated attacks targeting the homes of party officials, including his own, as a "targeted attack."

“

I believe it was a targeted attack.

Ioakimovic stated that these assaults, which involved the use of Molotov cocktails and vandalism, represent an attack "against democracy" rather than solely against the ND party. He recounted that his own apartment, where a friend resides, suffered minor material damage. However, the use of incendiary devices, particularly compared to previous incidents involving only paint, instilled significant fear.

“

These attacks are not against ND, they are against democracy.

"When you place Molotov cocktails, you do it to cause major damage. I don't want to say murder, but we all understand, paint is one thing, Molotov cocktails are another," Ioakimovic said, describing the terrifying experience of being woken by the explosions around 4:30 a.m. with his wife and three children. He emphasized the disruption of the quiet neighborhood's peace.

“

With Molotov cocktails, you start thinking about various things, because when you place Molotov cocktails, you place them to cause major damage. I don't want to say murder, but we all understand, paint is one thing, Molotov cocktails are another.

This wave of attacks follows similar incidents in July 2023, where Ioakimovic's home and that of another official, Mr. Anastasiadis, were vandalized with paint. The escalation to incendiary devices marks a significant and alarming increase in the severity of the actions.

“

You understand that there was absolute silence, it is a quiet neighborhood. When you hear such a bang, you understand that something bad is happening.