The mother of a politician from Greece’s ruling New Democratic Party has died from injuries sustained in a series of arson attacks targeting party officials.
Bagia Nestora, 72, suffered severe burns and multiple organ failure, according to a hospital in the northern city of Thessaloniki.
She was injured in an explosion and fire at the apartment building where her daughter Afroditi Nestora lives.
Three separate attacks using petrol bombs and other improvised devices took place minutes apart in Thessaloniki in the early hours of Wednesday.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Bagia Nestora’s death revealed the “murderous and inhumane nature” of political violence and called for a united response to “banish terrorism to the margins.”
He previously said that those who carry out such attacks under the pretext of social struggle are “nothing more than criminals and will be treated as such.”
Hospital officials said Vagia Nestora was hospitalized in critical condition with burns to about 80 percent of her body and, despite receiving intensive care, later died.
The daughter of the party’s candidate is also being treated at the hospital for burns and smoke inhalation. Aphroditi Nestora’s father, who suffers from underlying conditions, and two other residents were also hospitalized after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Police said an improvised incendiary device was installed outside the apartment, sparking the explosion and fire. The explosion destroyed two cars, damaged several motorcycles and significantly damaged a building.
Two other attacks targeted the homes of New Democracy’s Thessaloniki Administrative Committee chairman Zizis Ioakaimovic and former New Democracy MP Savas Anastasiadis. No injuries were reported in the incident.
According to the report, the three attacks occurred on Wednesday at 04:18, 04:23 and 04:35. Police believe the three attacks were carried out by the same assailant, who is suspected of traveling on a motorcycle and deploying the devices in quick succession.
The Greek Counterterrorism Service took charge of the investigation. No group has been identified as behind the attack and no arrests have been made.
Greek opposition leader Nikos Androlakis said those responsible for Bagia Nestora’s death “must be arrested, tried and punished.”
He added, “Criminal acts cannot be tolerated in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.”
Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also condemned the attack, saying “terrorism has no place in a democratic society.”
