Female perpetrator meets tragic demise in Greece as bomb she intended to place at an ATM detonates prematurely in her grip.
Greece's Indomitable Ghosts of the Past: Extremist Bombings Resurface
In a chilling reminder of Greece's troubled history, a 38-year-old woman met her demise in Thessaloniki after a bomb she intended to use on an ATM went awry. The explosive device detonated in her hands, leaving behind a scene of devastation that included damaged storefronts and vehicles.
The grim incident unfolded around 5am on Saturday in the bustling northern city. According to a senior police official, the woman was carrying an explosive device, planning to plant it on a bank's ATM. Something seeming to malfunction caused the bomb to explode prematurely in her hands.
This unfortunate event echoes Greece's checkered past, where politically motivated violence has plagued the nation, dating back to the 1970s. Extremist groups have orchestrated small-scale bombings, primarily targeting state and corporate entities. Despite the dismantling of many earlier groups, their tactics persist, as recent incidents indicate a resurgence of such activities by new groups.
The woman who perished in the explosion, whose identity wasn't disclosed, had a criminal record related to drugs and prostitution. Police investigations revealed that she had previously been involved in at least one robbery and thefts. Additionally, authorities are scrutinizing the possibility of her ties to extreme leftist groups.
Greece's history of politically motivated violence is deeply entrenched. From the 1970s to 1990s, anarchist and left-wing militant groups conducted attacks, predominantly in urban centers like Athens and Thessaloniki. While most earlier groups were dismantled, their tactics persist[3][4].
Recent incidents reflect a resurgence of such activities by new groups. For instance, in April, a group calling itself Revolutionary Class Struggle claimed responsibility for a bomb that exploded near the offices of Hellenic Train, Greece’s main railway services operator, and the planting of another bomb near the Labor Ministry in early February[1][3]. The explosion near the train offices resulted in limited damage to the building and no injuries. It was preceded by an anonymous call to local media 40 minutes before the blast, warning about the device, leading to an evacuation and cordoning off of the area[1].
The group behind these bombings alleged the attacks were part of an "armed struggle against the state," tying the violence to public anger over Greece’s 2023 rail disaster that killed 57 and injured dozens[1][3]. The rail disaster sparked widespread outrage and exposed severe deficiencies in Greece's railway system, including in safety systems[3]. Some of the relatives of the victims led mass protests against the country's conservative government on the occasion of the accident's second anniversary[3].
The challenge for law enforcement lies in tracking decentralized, cell-based groups. Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis has emphasized the need for enhanced counterterrorism measures amid evolving threats[1][4].
Read More: Athens is Burning After Petrol Bomb Riots See Attacks on Police - Before 70 are Arrested
In the wake of the incident, concerns about the resurgence of politically motivated violence in Greece have intensified. The upcoming year 2025 might see war-and-conflicts news, as well as crime-and-justice and general-news segments, heavily featuring Greece, due to these recurring events.
Political interests and business entities might be the targets of further attacks, given the history of extremist groups aiming at state and corporate entities. As such, businesses in Greece should maintain a watchful eye on potential threats.
Interestingly, the recent wave of bombings seems to be tied to leftist groups, as suggested by the criminal record of the woman who was killed. This raises questions about the potential role of these groups in the current state of incidents.
The rising tension in the political climate of Greece has left many questioning the impact of recent conflicts, such as the 2023 rail disaster, on the resurgence of such activities. The public's growing discontent could contribute to the escalation of these conflicts, which could potentially result in more bombings.
As Greece grapples with these issues, the international community will likely follow the situation closely, given the global implications of war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and political instability. The eyes of the world are on Greece, as the nation navigates its troubled waters and schools itself in the art of peace.
