Attacks on politicians' apartments in Thessaloniki – one dead, five injured

Victims and injured

According to police, a total of five people were injured in the attack on Nestora's apartment, including Nestora herself and her parents. In the other attacks, four additional people were injured. Police initially made no comment on possible perpetrators or motives.

The authorities assume that the same perpetrators are behind all of the attacks. Video recordings are currently being evaluated, police said. There were initially no official statements regarding possible connections or a claim of responsibility.

Political reactions from Athens

The further attack targets were, according to consistent reports, the chair of the party executive board, Sisis Ioakimovic, as well as former member of parliament Savvas Anastasiades. Injuries were also reported in both of those attacks.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed himself "outraged" and spoke of a "cowardly, terrorist and murderous attack." He announced that he would travel to Thessaloniki to stand alongside his party colleagues. The trip was intended to send "an absolutely clear and unambiguous message: zero tolerance toward any new form of terrorism that may emerge in our country," Mitsotakis said.

After the woman's death became known on Wednesday evening, Mitsotakis said this "confirms the murderous and inhuman character of the blind violence that exists in public life." The head of government thus significantly sharpened his choice of words once again.

The Minister for Civil Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, described the perpetrators as "stupid and obstinate people" who deserved harsh punishment. He also announced that the state would do everything to thoroughly investigate the background.

A member of the party leadership, Konstantinos Kyranakis, said: "Die Täter hatten die Absicht zu töten." He added: "Diejenigen, die seit Jahren eine Kultur der Toleranz gegenüber politischer Gewalt pflegen, sollten über ihre Verantwortung nachdenken." The party would not be intimidated, he said.

Condemnation from opposition and society

Left-wing opposition parties also condemned the attacks. In a joint statement, it was said that violence against political officeholders is unconstitutional in any form and incompatible with democratic principles. The perpetrators must be apprehended as quickly as possible and brought before the courts.

The background to the reporting is the fact that for years in Greece, left-wing extremist and anarchist groups have repeatedly used homemade explosive devices against state institutions, banks, and politicians. The current case fits into a longer series of such attacks, even if the scale, with a fatality, is unusual.

The security authorities have meanwhile expanded their investigations. In addition to the evaluation of surveillance camera footage from the affected residential neighborhoods, according to information from the Interior Ministry, specialists from the anti-terrorism unit have also been brought in. The affected residential buildings were cordoned off over a wide area, and sniffer dogs were deployed.

Investigations and security measures

In Athens on Wednesday afternoon, a spontaneous solidarity rally took place in front of the headquarters of New Democracy. Party members laid flowers and wreaths at the entrance. Individual participants chanted slogans against political violence.

The Thessaloniki prosecutor's office opened an investigation on charges of multiple homicide, multiple attempted homicide, and the manufacture of explosive devices. A spokesperson for the authority announced that the proceedings would be conducted with "highest priority."

The Greek press reported consistently that the attacks had been carried out within a radius of a few hundred meters in the city center of Thessaloniki. The exact times of the attacks were said to be between approximately 3:00 and 4:30 a.m., according to initial investigation results cited in reports.

International reactions

The European Commission in Brussels condemned the attacks and expressed its condolences to the relatives of the victim and to the injured. A spokesperson stated that violence against elected representatives is incompatible with the fundamental values of the European Union.

Observers pointed out that the attacks come amid a phase of political tensions. In recent weeks, Greece had seen repeated protests against austerity measures and clashes between the government and the opposition. A direct connection with the attacks has not, however, been established so far.

Mitsotakis traveled to Thessaloniki still that evening to attend a memorial service for the killed woman together with party officials. Before his departure, he also announced a special cabinet meeting for the coming Thursday.

Police called on possible witnesses to come forward. Tips would be received via a dedicated hotline as well as through the Thessaloniki police website, the authority said. Anonymity would be guaranteed.