A deadly attack that killed Vagia Nestora, the mother of a Greek political candidate, has drawn condemnation from Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing the incident as an assault on democratic participation and political freedom.
Speaking during an international discussion on political extremism and terrorism, Rubio cited the death of 72-year-old Vagia Nestora as an example of the dangers posed by politically motivated violence, arguing that democratic societies cannot tolerate attacks aimed at intimidating political opponents or discouraging citizens from seeking public office.
Nestora died after suffering severe burns during coordinated incendiary attacks targeting the homes of several local officials and candidates from Greece’s governing New Democracy party in Thessaloniki on July 1. Her daughter, New Democracy parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora, was among those injured in the attack.
“You are here because two weeks ago, a 72-year-old woman suffered burns over 80% of her body in her own home in Greece. And she died, executed by a firebomb because her daughter dared to run for public office,” Rubio pointedly stressed.
Rubio presented further incidents of political violence in Europe, noting that this threat is real and can no longer be downplayed. “Far-left political terrorism is not some new invention, nor is it just a conservative talking point. For most of the modern era, it has been the dominant form of political violence,” Rubio added.
The clip at the 37-minute mark:
Coordinated attacks in Thessaloniki, which killed Vagia Nestora and were condemned by Marco Rubio
Authorities say attackers placed improvised incendiary devices containing camping gas canisters outside the residences of three New Democracy figures in the northern Greek city during the early hours of the morning.
The attack on the Nestora family residence proved fatal. Vagia Nestora suffered burns over much of her body and later died in hospital from her injuries. Afroditi Nestora, her father and several others were also injured.
Greek authorities described the attacks as politically motivated terrorism and assigned the investigation to the country’s anti-terrorism unit. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the killing evidence of the “murderous and inhuman nature of blind violence in public life” and demanded zero tolerance toward extremism and political violence.
Arrests in the investigation
Greek anti-terror police announced the arrest of four suspects allegedly connected to the attacks. Investigators believe the suspects were involved in planting the incendiary devices used in the assault on the Nestora residence. The suspects deny wrongdoing and the judicial investigation remains ongoing.
While authorities and government officials have repeatedly suggested the attacks were politically motivated, prosecutors have not yet established a final motive in court proceedings. No organization claimed responsibility for the attacks.
International attention
Rubio’s intervention elevates what began as a domestic Greek terrorism investigation into an issue attracting international political attention.
Political violence has a long history in Greece, particularly during the late twentieth century, but fatal attacks targeting elected officials or candidates have become rare in recent decades following the dismantling of several militant organizations. The Thessaloniki attack marked the first such fatal assault directed at Greek political figures in more than a decade.
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