Greek police have arrested two people in connection with the deadly firebomb attack on a bank in Athens during anti-austerity protests in 2010. The incident, one of the most tragic moments of Greece’s financial crisis, claimed the lives of three bank employees, including a pregnant woman. Authorities said the arrests follow years of renewed investigation into the long-unsolved case.
Breakthrough in a Long-Running Investigation
The firebomb attack took place on May 5, 2010, during large demonstrations against austerity measures introduced as part of Greece’s first international bailout. As protests escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and riot police, attackers threw Molotov cocktails into a Marfin bank branch in central Athens.
The resulting fire trapped employees inside the building, and three workers died from smoke inhalation. The tragedy shocked the nation and became one of the defining events of Greece’s economic crisis.
Police said the latest arrests came after investigators reviewed photographs, evidence, and other material collected from the protests. Authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect who remains at large.
Case Reopened Years After the Attack
The investigation into the deadly attack was reopened in 2020 after years without major progress. Previous legal proceedings led to the acquittal of an earlier suspect, while several bank officials were convicted in 2013 for failing to implement adequate workplace safety measures during the incident.
Officials believe the latest arrests represent a significant step toward identifying those responsible for carrying out the attack and delivering long-awaited justice for the victims’ families.
A Lasting Symbol of Greece’s Financial Crisis
The 2010 bank fire remains one of the darkest chapters of Greece’s financial turmoil, a period marked by widespread protests, economic hardship, and social unrest. The deaths of the three employees became a lasting symbol of the human cost of political violence during the country’s debt crisis.
Greek authorities have stressed that resolving the case is important not only for accountability but also for reinforcing public confidence in the justice system. Investigators continue efforts to locate the remaining suspect as legal proceedings move forward.
