Greek police arrest 3 over Thessaloniki bomb attack that killed politician's mother

Greek anti-terrorism police arrested 3 people in connection with a series of firebomb attacks targeting politicians from the ruling New Democracy party, including an explosion that killed the mother of a parliamentary candidate and injured four others.

The attacks took place in the northern city of Thessaloniki on July 1, when crude explosive devices made using camping gas canisters were placed outside the homes of several members of the governing party.

The deadliest blast occurred outside the residence of parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora, where a bomb attached beneath her car exploded at the entrance of her apartment building. The explosion killed her 72-year-old mother, while Nestora sustained burn injuries and remains under medical care. Her father and two other residents of the building were also injured.

Authorities said two additional attacks carried out the same night targeted the homes of other New Democracy politicians, causing property damage but no casualties.

According to police, a 29-year-old man was arrested in Thessaloniki, while a 26-year-old woman was detained on the island of Crete for alleged involvement in the bombing. A third man was arrested on suspicion of sheltering the two suspects before and after the attack. Investigators said efforts are continuing to identify and apprehend any additional individuals linked to the case.

Greece has witnessed sporadic politically motivated violence for decades, with extremist groups often using improvised explosive devices to target politicians, police personnel and public institutions. Although many of the prominent militant organisations active during the 1980s and 1990s were dismantled, authorities say smaller extremist groups continue to emerge.

The latest arrests come amid a series of recent bomb attacks in Greece, including a fatal explosion in Thessaloniki in 2025 involving a woman allegedly attempting to plant a bomb, and attacks targeting judicial officials and railway infrastructure in recent years.

Police said the investigation into the July 1 bombings remains ongoing.