The political office of Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris was targeted in an arson attack early Sunday, November 1, when unidentified individuals detonated an improvised incendiary device outside a building in central Athens, causing property damage and prompting a police investigation.
The attack occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Alexandrou Soutsou Street in the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood, where the minister maintains his political office. According to Greek public broadcaster ERT, the perpetrators placed a device consisting of two small gas canisters at the building’s entrance before fleeing.
The explosion damaged the main entrance door and shattered glass panels, scattering debris across the surrounding area. No injuries were reported, although Plevris said he had left the office shortly before the incident.
Police investigate explosive device and search for perpetrators
Police officers and specialists from the Hellenic Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit arrived at the scene to examine the remains of the device and collect evidence.
According to police information, two unidentified individuals were involved in placing the device. Investigators recovered two gas canisters, one of which had ruptured, along with three firecrackers. The evidence is being examined to establish how the device was activated and identify those responsible.
The State Security Division has undertaken the preliminary investigation, while authorities are examining the circumstances of the attack and its possible motives.
Photographs from the scene showed damage to the building’s entrance and broken glass scattered nearby. Warning notices were subsequently placed at the entrance to alert visitors to the risk posed by the debris.
Plevris alleges murderous intent as ruling party condemns attack
Plevris reacted through a statement on X, attributing the attack to individuals he described as supporters of undocumented migrants. The minister also alleged that the placement of the devices indicated an intention to cause fatalities, although police had not publicly established the suspects’ motives or confirmed that assessment.
“Some supporters of illegal immigrants placed explosive devices at my political office in central Athens,” Plevris wrote, adding that he had just left the premises.
“The way they placed the explosive devices demonstrates murderous intent,” he continued. “I do not take these particular scoundrels into account. I frighten them; they do not frighten me.”
The governing New Democracy party condemned the incident in a statement, describing it as an act of intimidation against an elected official. The party called on other political organizations to publicly denounce the attack and reiterated its opposition to political violence.
The incident occurred amid continuing debate over Greece’s immigration and asylum policies, including government plans to accelerate the return of rejected asylum applicants and strengthen border enforcement.
