A firebomb attack in Athens has killed the mother of a prominent Greek politician, sending shockwaves through the political establishment. The incident, which occurred late last night, is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism. Sources close to the investigation indicate the target was the politician himself, but his mother was home alone at the time.
The victim, identified as 78-year-old Eleni Papadopoulos, was trapped inside her ground-floor apartment in the working-class district of Exarchia. Firefighters found her body in the kitchen. The politician, who cannot be named for security reasons, is reportedly in shock. He represents a centre-right party and has been vocal on law and order issues.
This is a grim milestone for Greek security. Attacks on politicians' families are rare. The last high-profile case was in 2009, when a far-left gang firebombed the home of a government minister. No one died then. This time, someone did.
European security sources are worried. Greece has seen a resurgence of anarchist and far-left violence post-bailout. The country's security services are stretched thin. Unlike in the UK, where MI5 tracks suspect groups, Greek intelligence lacks resources. This attack will test their capacity.
It is also a blow to the Greek government, which has been trying to project stability ahead of a crucial EU summit on migration. The prime minister called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. The opposition is demanding resignations.
Inside the Westminster bubble, this is being watched closely. UK security officials have long warned that copycat attacks could spread. The Home Office has already circulated a memo to police forces about monitoring Greek extremist networks in the UK. There are about 2,000 Greek expats with suspected anarchist links living in London and Manchester.
But focus remains on Athens. The politician in question is a rising star in his party, tipped for a ministerial role. The attack will silence him at least temporarily. It also sends a chilling message to other politicians: your family is not safe.
Local reporting suggests the firebomb was a Molotov cocktail of the kind used by anarchist group Rouvikonas. They have claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks on politicians, banks, and embassies in the past year. But they have never killed anyone. Do they care? Or is this a sign of escalation?
One thing is certain: European security just got a rude awakening. The Greek government will now face tough questions at the EU summit about its ability to protect its citizens. And every politician across Europe will be looking at their own security detail with new eyes.
