3 People Arrested in Connection with Arson Attacks in Selanik

The Counter-Terrorism unit took three people into custody in connection with the arson attacks that took place on 1 July in Selanik, Greece, which resulted in the death of one person. The person who lost her life in the attacks was Vaya Nestora, the mother of Afrodit Nestora, a political candidate for the Yeni Demokrasi Party. Following the incidents, the police launched a comprehensive investigation to identify the perpetrators by examining footage obtained from cameras and evidence gathered from explosive residues. The detained suspects are believed to have played a role in the attacks targeting the apartment buildings where Yeni Demokrasi Party officials reside. This development has caused great public concern regarding the dimensions of political violence incidents in Greece.

According to the information obtained, the Counter-Terrorism unit conducted a total of three operations, two in Selanik and one in the Hanya district of the Girit island. It was determined that the female suspect captured in Hanya went to Girit from Selanik to hide after the incidents. The other two suspects detained in Selanik were learned to be young. According to the news of the public television ERT, all arrested suspects have ties to the core of the anarchist movement and previous criminal records. These details show that the attacks were not coincidental and were planned by an organized structure.

The mentioned attacks were carried out on 1 July in Selanik at the residences of three different names affiliated with the Yeni Demokrasi Party. Among the targeted names were Zisis Ioakimoviç, Chairman of the party's Selanik Management Committee, former deputy Savvas Anastasiadis, and political candidate Afrodit Nestora. It was revealed that gas cylinders were used to intentionally set fire to the buildings in the attacks, and these actions were destructive enough to result in the death of one person. Afrodit Nestora was also injured in the attack along with her mother and her treatment is ongoing. These incidents are considered a clear indication that violence against political party members is on the rise in Greece.

Vaya Nestora, who lost her life, was severely injured in the attack and passed away shortly after at the hospital where she was taken. Her daughter Afrodit Nestora, who attended the funeral ceremony held yesterday in the Kozani district, continues to struggle with burn injuries at the ceremony she arrived at by ambulance. While four more people were injured in the same attacks, the situation remains serious. This tragic event deeply shook the family and the local community, while necessitating authorities to take additional security measures to prevent similar cases. The death of Vaya Nestora painfully demonstrated how political violence affects innocent civilians.

The Greek police identified the detection of the attackers and those who planned the attacks as the highest priority from the very first moment of the incidents. The Counter-Terrorism unit thoroughly analyzed the extensive footage obtained from security cameras and the materials remaining from the explosive devices found at the scene. This evidence played a critical role in identifying the suspects and conducting the operations. It is noted that there may be more detentions and other suspects may also be caught within the scope of the investigation. The authorities continue their determination to prevent political violence incidents in Greece and bring the perpetrators to justice.