Greek Anarchist Cell Kills One in Coordinated IED Attack on Ruling-Party Politicians
Source: Actforfree
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Greek counterterrorism police arrested three suspected anarchist cell members on July 12 for a coordinated July 1 attack on the homes of three New Democracy party politicians in Thessaloniki that used gas-canister improvised explosive devices, killed a 72-year-old woman, and wounded four others.
ANALYSIS
The July 1 attack struck three simultaneous targets in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, in the early morning hours. Attackers deployed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) constructed from pressurized gas canisters at residences belonging to three members or former candidates of the ruling New Democracy party. At the home of former party candidate Afroditi Nestora, the detonation ignited a fire while the family was inside. Nestora's 72-year-old mother was killed in the blast while attempting to extinguish the flames. Nestora was injured along with her father and a fourth victim. Four vehicles in the attached garage were destroyed. No claim of responsibility was posted on the night of the attack, which is consistent with the operational security practices of established Greek anarchist cells, which typically release communiques days or weeks after carrying out direct action.
Greek counterterrorism units arrested three suspects on July 12 in coordinated operations across Thessaloniki and the island of Crete. All three had prior contacts with law enforcement in the context of anarchist activity. The female primary suspect was imprisoned in 2022 as a member of the organized group Anarchist Action. The male primary suspect is an active member of the Anarchist Council of Thessaloniki and was questioned by police in 2015. Investigators described these two as the "operational pair" who carried out the attack directly. A third arrestee owned the residence where the pair lived and is believed to have provided logistical support. Greek police stated that approximately 30 individuals connected to domestic anarchist networks remain under active investigation in connection with the case.
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