Three arrested in Greece over deadly bomb attacks targeting ruling party politicians

Greek authorities have arrested three people suspected of carrying out a series of firebomb attacks against politicians affiliated with the governing New Democracy party. The coordinated assaults, which occurred on July 1, included a fatal explosion in Thessaloniki that claimed the life of Vagia Nestora, the mother of a parliamentary candidate.

The predawn attacks targeted the residences of several New Democracy politicians. The most devastating incident involved a crude bomb made with camping gas canisters detonated beneath the car of parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora, parked outside her apartment. Her mother, 72-year-old Vagia Nestora, suffered fatal injuries in the blast. Afroditi Nestora sustained burn injuries and briefly left the hospital to attend her mother's funeral. Her father and two other residents were also injured.

Announcing the arrests, officials stated that a 29-year-old man was apprehended in Thessaloniki, and a 26-year-old woman was detained on the island of Crete, both suspected of involvement in the bombing at Nestora's home. A third man was arrested for allegedly harboring the two suspects.

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One day after the funeral of Vagia Nestora, the state honors her memory by leading, as we had pledged to do, the terrorists to justice.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed Parliament, assuring the public that the government would fulfill its promise to bring the terrorists to justice. "It is democracy's answer to violence. Democracy's only answer to violence," he declared, honoring the memory of Vagia Nestora.

The incidents have reignited concerns about politically motivated violence in Greece, a phenomenon with a long history in the country. While major extremist organizations from the 1980s and 1990s have been largely dismantled, authorities report that newer, smaller groups continue to conduct low-level bombings, often using rudimentary devices targeting symbols of authority.

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It is democracy's answer to violence. Democracy's only answer to violence.