The PASOK party has condemned the coordinated arson attacks targeting New Democracy (ND) officials and their families in Thessaloniki early Wednesday, July 1, 2026, calling it an “abhorrent crime” that strikes at the heart of democratic functioning. In a strong and unequivocal statement, party spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas denounced the violence as unacceptable in a democracy and demanded the immediate arrest of everyone involved — from those who inspired and organized the attacks to those who carried them out.
“Violence Has No Place in Democracy”
“Violence has no place in democracy,” Tsoukalas emphasized, underscoring that PASOK’s condemnation is both absolute and categorical. He described the attacks as a criminal act requiring an immediate and effective response from investigative authorities. PASOK also expressed its profound shock and full solidarity with the victims’ families.
Series of Coordinated Arsons Within Minutes
The three arson incidents unfolded in rapid succession in the early hours of Wednesday. The first occurred at 4:18 a.m. in the Pyrgos area (Pylaia), targeting properties belonging to Zisis Ioakimovits, president of ND’s Thessaloniki Executive Committee.
Five minutes later, at 4:23 a.m., another attack hit the apartment building where Savvas Anastasiadis — former MP for Thessaloniki B — resides. Suspects placed an improvised incendiary device at the building’s entrance.
A third incident was recorded at 4:35 a.m., when a vehicle parked in the ground-floor garage of the building housing ND politician Aphrodite Nestora was set on fire.
In total, five people were injured. The most serious case involves Nestora’s mother, who remains hospitalized in critical condition, intubated. Authorities are conducting intensive investigations to identify and locate the perpetrators.