May 5, 2010
Tens of thousands of people were demonstrating in Athens against austerity measures during Greece's financial crisis when violence broke out along the march route. The Marfin Bank branch on Stadiou Street was attacked with incendiary devices and caught fire. Three employees trapped inside died from smoke inhalation, including a pregnant woman.
An investigation that remained unresolved
The attack became one of the most painful symbols of the unrest, yet criminal responsibility for setting the bank on fire was not established for years. Earlier proceedings did not produce a conviction of an identified arsonist. That history is important because later investigative claims cannot retroactively be treated as proven judicial findings.
The case reopened
In July 2026, Greek police announced that a renewed review of evidence, including photographs and other material from the demonstrations, had led to two arrests and the identification of another suspect. Reuters reported on July 10 that two people had been arrested and a third suspect was being sought under a warrant. Greek public broadcaster ERT published the police announcement the following day.
Charges in August 2026
By August, a 46-year-old woman had been transferred from Britain to Greece and formally questioned. She denied involvement and disputed the identification evidence. ERT reported on August 11 that she was ordered into pretrial detention and that two 42-year-old men were also in custody facing charges that included joint multiple homicide. Her lawyer filed a challenge to the detention order on August 14. These are active allegations, not convictions.
Sources and further reading
- Reuters — arrests in the renewed investigation (July 10, 2026)
- ERT News — official Greek Police announcement and new evidence (July 11, 2026)
- eKathimerini — accused woman denies involvement (August 8, 2026)
- ERT News — pretrial detention and current charges (August 11, 2026)
- ERT News — challenge to detention order (August 14, 2026)
Case context
Crime by Region classifies the Marfin Bank arson as unresolved with an active prosecution. The deaths and the arson are established facts; responsibility attributed to the 2026 defendants remains an allegation unless and until a court reaches a final judgment.