Sixteen years after the deadly arson attack at the Marfin Bank branch in Athens—during which three employees were killed during a nationwide strike against Greece’s first bailout memorandum—authorities have made two arrests and are seeking a third suspect.
Three Killed in 2010 Attack
On May 5, 2010, unknown perpetrators threw Molotov cocktails at the Marfin Bank building on Stadiou Street during a mass protest. The fire trapped three staff members on the third floor: Angeliki Papathanasopoulou, 32, who was four months pregnant; Epaminondas Tsakalis, 36; and Paraskevi Zouli, 35. All died of asphyxiation. Images of the victims appearing on tiny balconies, desperately calling for help, circulated globally and became emblematic of the social unrest surrounding Greece’s debt crisis.
Breakthrough After Years of Investigation
As announced Thursday, July 10, 2026, Greek authorities arrested two 42-year-old men following a renewed investigation ordered by the Ministry of Citizen Protection. The probe—reopened recently and led by Greece’s elite anti-organized crime unit—involved forensic re-examination of photographic evidence and other material, effectively functioning as a national-level review akin to an FBI-style assessment.
The two suspects are linked to the anti-establishment scene and had not been identified or questioned during the initial investigation. A 46-year-old woman, also allegedly involved, is currently believed to be residing legally in the United Kingdom and remains at large. None of the three individuals were previously considered suspects, and no charges had ever been filed against them.
The arrest warrants were issued by the Third Regular Investigating Judge based on newly uncovered evidence submitted by prosecutorial authorities.