ATHENS, July 14 – The mother of a Greek politician was killed in an arson attack on her home in northern Greece early this morning, prompting the government to denounce what it described as a far-right terrorist act. Police confirmed that the fire, which broke out at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time in the city of Thessaloniki, claimed the life of 78-year-old Eleni Papadopoulou. The victim was the mother of Stelios Papadopoulos, a prominent member of the centre-left PASOK party and a former deputy minister.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes, but were unable to save the elderly woman, who was trapped in a first-floor bedroom. Two other residents, the politician’s father and a domestic worker, escaped with minor injuries and are being treated for smoke inhalation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was started using an accelerant, with evidence of forced entry through a rear door. A far-right slogan, scrawled in black paint on an exterior wall, was partially obscured by fire damage but remained legible to investigators.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis issued a statement this afternoon, attributing the attack to “extreme right-wing elements” seeking to intimidate political figures. “This is not merely a crime. It is an assault on our democracy, on our institutions, on the very fabric of our society,” Marinakis said. “The perpetrators will be found and brought to justice.” He added that the prime minister has instructed the police and intelligence services to prioritise the investigation and provide round-the-clock protection to elected officials who may be at risk.
The attack follows a series of arson incidents targeting left-wing politicians and journalists over the past year, several of which have been linked to the neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn, which was outlawed in 2020 after a landmark trial for running a criminal organisation. Although Golden Dawn’s leadership is imprisoned, splinter cells remain active. Observers note a resurgence of far-right violence in Greece, exacerbated by economic pressures and anti-immigrant sentiment. In May, a bomb exploded outside the home of a journalist in Athens, causing no fatalities but raising alarms.
Stelios Papadopoulos, in an emotional press conference outside the morgue, called for calm but insisted the state must act. “My mother did not represent anything. She was a grandmother, a widow, a woman who loved her garden. But they killed her because of my work,” he said, his voice breaking. “I will not be intimidated. But I demand that the government treat this as the political assassination it is.” Opposition parties have echoed these demands, criticising the government for failing to prevent the attacks.
European Union officials expressed solidarity. The European Commission president issued a statement of condolence, offering support to Greek authorities via Europol’s counter-terrorism unit. The attack is likely to dominate the political agenda ahead of next month’s local elections. Security has been tightened around parliament and government buildings.
Investigators are now tracing the movement of suspects using CCTV footage from the neighbourhood. A reward of 300,000 euros has been offered for information leading to an arrest. The home, a two-storey detached house in a quiet residential street, remains cordoned off.
The attack has shocked the nation, but for many Greeks it is a grim reminder of the political violence that plagued the country during the civil war and the junta years. As one analyst noted, the death of a retired teacher has become a symbol of the simmering extremism that Greece has yet to extinguish.
