Three arrested in fatal arson attack on Greek politician's mother

Greek authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with a fatal arson attack that claimed the life of 75-year-old Vagia Nestora in Thessaloniki.

The victim, mother of New Democracy party official Aphrodite Nestora, died after an incendiary device was ignited at her home early on July 1. The Anti-Terrorism Unit apprehended a 29-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, who are accused of planting and activating the device that caused the fire. A third suspect, a 24-year-old man, is alleged to have harbored the other two before and after the attack, reportedly providing the apartment they used as a hideout.

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Three people were arrested yesterday by the Anti-Terrorism Service in Thessaloniki and Crete.

The 26-year-old woman was apprehended in Chania, Crete, while the two men were arrested in Thessaloniki. The Anti-Terrorism Unit expedited the arrests, as the 24-year-old was also planning to travel for leisure. The arrests specifically target the arson at Nestora's home, not two earlier incendiary attacks on the same night against the residences of other New Democracy politicians.

Investigators pieced together the events using security camera footage. The two main suspects were seen traveling by taxi hours before the attack to an area near the apartment provided by the 24-year-old. They proceeded on foot, apparently believing the block was not covered by surveillance cameras. However, police sources indicate that clear visual evidence exists of their entry and exit from the hideout, located about 500 meters from Nestora's home. This miscalculation regarding surveillance appears to have been a critical error, leading to their identification and subsequent arrest.

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Their assessment, however, proved to be wrong, as information from police sources indicates that the Anti-Terrorism Unit has clear visual material from their entry and exit from the apartment.