Greek police have arrested two people in connection with the fatal arson attack on a Marfin Egnatia Bank branch in Athens that occurred in 2010, according to a police statement released on July 10, 2026. The attack took place on May 5, 2010, during a massive anti-government protest against austerity measures at the onset of Greece's financial crisis. Three bank employees died after the branch was firebombed.
Details of the Arrest
The two suspects were apprehended following a lengthy investigation. Police did not immediately release their names or provide specific charges, but confirmed they are linked to the firebombing that trapped employees inside the bank. The incident remains one of the most tragic events of Greece's debt crisis, symbolizing the violent turn of protests against spending cuts and tax hikes imposed by the government under international bailout agreements.
According to authorities, the arrests were made possible through new evidence and witness testimonies. The suspects are expected to appear before a prosecutor soon. The case had remained unsolved for over a decade, with previous investigations failing to yield arrests.
Impact and Memorials
The 2010 arson attack killed three people: Paraskevi Zoulia, 35; Angeliki Papathanasiou, 32; and Epaminondas Tsakalis, 36. All three were employees of the bank. The attack sparked widespread condemnation and led to ongoing debates about protest violence and police handling of demonstrations. A memorial plaque now marks the site, and annual vigils are held to honor the victims.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis commented on the arrests, saying, "Justice is being served for the victims of this heinous crime. We will not forget those who lost their lives during the darkest days of our crisis." The arrests come amid renewed scrutiny of unsolved crimes from the protest era.
