The perpetrators of the arson attack that took place in the early hours of Sunday (1/11) on the political office of Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris in Kolonaki remain at large, with the minister himself describing the incident as an “attempted murder” carried out with “homicidal intent.” The attack occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m., when masked arsonists placed an improvised device with two gas canisters at the entrance of the building.
Attack on Plevris’ office: Search for perpetrators ongoing
The explosion caused damage to the building’s main entrance door, shattered windows, and left glass fragments scattered in the surrounding area. Police units and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were dispatched to the scene. To prevent injuries, warning notices were placed at the entrance of the apartment building, alerting passersby to the danger posed by broken glass.
The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. Greek Police continue their search for the perpetrators.
Plevris: “I don’t fear these particular scumbags”
In a social media post, Thanos Plevris stated: “Some supporters of illegal immigrants planted explosive devices at my political office in central Athens. I had just left the premises. The way in which the explosive devices were placed demonstrates homicidal intent. I don’t fear these particular scumbags. I intimidate them — they don’t intimidate me.”
Not only the minister himself, but political figures from across the entire political spectrum condemned the attack.
New Democracy: “Yet another fascist act by cowardly thugs”
The New Democracy press office issued a statement on the attack on Plevris’ office, reading: “The attack on the political office of the Minister of Migration and Asylum and Member of Parliament for Athens A’, Thanos Plevris, is yet another fascist act by cowardly thugs, who did not hesitate to plant explosive devices at the entrance of his office in central Athens. New Democracy stands firmly against every form of violence and calls on all political parties to clearly and loudly express their unequivocal disapproval and condemnation. Our Democracy, and those who serve it, will not be intimidated or deterred by its enemies.”
Marinakis: “A criminal act by cowards” — “They want to silence Thanos”
In a statement, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said: “The gas canister attack on Thanos Plevris’ political office is a criminal act carried out by cowards. These are people who want to ‘silence’ Thanos and anyone else who makes the ‘mistake’ of not siding with the logic of chaos and violence. Let them understand this clearly: Democracy will not be intimidated and will never operate on their terms. We have complete confidence that the Greek Police will locate and arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible.”
Kaklamanis: “Democracy will not be intimidated or terrorized”
“I utterly condemn the cowardly attack at the entrance of the office of Migration and Asylum Minister Mr. Thanos Plevris. The position of the organized state and its functionaries must be absolute and unambiguous: Democracy will not be intimidated or terrorized. Practices of this kind have no place in a democratic society — they do not deter us; they strengthen our resolve for unity and the effective confrontation of terrorist elements acting with homicidal intent,” said Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis in a statement.
The Speaker of Parliament continued, stating: “This attack is not directed solely against an elected representative of the people and a minister, but against democratic normality. I express my unconditional solidarity with my colleague Mr. T. Plevris and call on all political forces to form a united front against violence and those who carry out such acts.” He concluded by emphasizing: “It is the highest duty of all of us — the state, society, and political forces — to defend the quality of public life and respect for our institutions.”
Loverdos: “A vile, cowardly act — unequivocal condemnation”
In a social media post, Andreas Loverdos stated in reference to the attack: “Thanos, we stand with you! The arson attack on Thanos Plevris’ office is a vile, cowardly act. Political violence is a criminal choice and cannot be met with half-measures. Unequivocal condemnation.”
Θάνο, μαζί σου!
Η εμπρηστική επίθεση στο γραφείο του Θάνου Πλεύρη @thanosplevris είναι μια άθλια, θρασύδειλη ενέργεια. Η πολιτική βία είναι εγκληματική επιλογή και δεν μπορεί να αντιμετωπίζεται με μισόλογα.
Απερίφραστη καταδίκη.— Andreas Loverdos (@a_loverdos) November 1, 2026
Kyranakis: “The perpetrators intended to kill” — “We are not afraid of you”
Konstantinos Kyranakis wrote in a social media post: “The way in which the gas canisters were placed at Thanos Plevris’ office makes clear that the perpetrators intended to kill. Just as those responsible for previous attacks were arrested, these individuals must be arrested immediately by the Greek Police and brought to justice. We all stand behind Thanos Plevris. There will be no retreat from the immigration policy he is implementing. Threats and attacks will not change our course. We are not afraid of you.”
ELAS: “We unequivocally condemn the attack on the Migration and Asylum Minister’s political office”
In a statement, Marinos Skandamis, the Citizen Protection spokesperson for ELAS, condemned the attack on Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris’ political office.
The statement reads: “We unequivocally condemn the attack on the political office of the Minister of Migration and Asylum, involving the placement of explosive devices at the entrance of his office in Kolonaki. Our Democracy will not be intimidated. At the same time, we express our concern to the Ministry of Citizen Protection regarding whether security measures were in place — and what those measures were — in what is supposedly one of the most well-guarded areas of central Athens, and specifically at the political office of the Minister of Migration and Asylum.”
