Greek Politician’s Mother Dies After Suspected Arson Attack

In the early hours of Wednesday, 20‑minute interval explosions destroyed a residential block in Thessaloniki, targeting properties linked to Greece’s ruling New Democracy party.

Vagia Nestora, 72, the mother of New Democracy candidate Afroditi Nestora, succumbed to severe burns covering about 80% of her body and subsequent organ failure. Her daughter, too, was hospitalized with smoke inhalation injuries.

The attack involved petrol bombs and other homemade incendiary devices set at the entrance of the apartment building. Police say the assaults were carried out by a single group traveling on a motorcycle, occurring at 04:18, 04:23 and 04:35.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the violence, calling it “murderous and inhumane” and demanding the nation unite to ban terrorism from the political arena.

The opposition leader Nikos Androulakis said those responsible must be arrested and punished, while former prime minister Alexis Tsipras declared that terror has no place in a democracy.

The Counter‑Terrorism Service has taken over the investigation. No organisation has claimed responsibility, and arrests are still pending.