Greek police have made two arrests in connection with a deadly fire-bombing that took place during a large-scale general strike in Athens more than a decade ago, authorities announced Friday.
The fatal incident occurred on May 5, 2010, when tens of thousands of workers and civil servants took to the streets to demonstrate against the conditions tied to Greece’s first financial bailout from euro zone nations and the International Monetary Fund — marking the early days of the country’s severe debt crisis.
As masked protesters clashed with riot police, who deployed tear gas and flash bombs throughout the city center, attackers hurled petrol bombs at a Marfin bank branch. Three employees inside the building — one man and two women, one of whom was pregnant — were trapped and died after inhaling smoke from the resulting fire.
Along with the two arrests, police also issued a warrant for a third individual believed to be connected to the attack. According to a police official, investigators were able to identify the suspects by cross-referencing evidence and photographs gathered from that day’s events and other protests over the years.
