Police Investigate Possible Arson Link to Anarchist Deaths

Specialist police are probing a potential arson attack aimed at both an academic and a police officer, examining whether it may be connected to the deaths of two anarchists who were killed last month while handling an improvised explosive device.

Counter-terrorism units are assessing links to far-left extremist groups outside of Ionia, following claims from anarchists that these recent actions were meant to honor two Italian anarchists who lost their lives in March.

On March 25, a gas bottle was transformed into a makeshift bomb and left at the entrance of an apartment building in Athens. According to reports at that time, the police have identified the residents—including the dean of the National Technical University of Athens and members of the special riot police—as potential targets. Thankfully, the explosion caused minor damage and no one was injured.

However, Italian newspaper Il Tempo has recently highlighted the significance of the arson occurring just after the deaths of anarchist activists Alessandro Mercogliano, aged 53, and his girlfriend Sara Ardizzone, 35. The paper noted that a statement on a popular anarchist website indicated the attack was meant to “baptize” a new anarchist group in memory of the deceased activists, “Sarah and Sandro.”

This statement also labeled the university dean as a “spymaster” and declared: “We dedicate our action to the Italian anarchist comrades Alessandro Mercogliano and Sara Ardizzone, who lost their lives due to the accidental detonation of a homemade explosive device… In honor of their memory, we have named the group that executed this action after them.”

As previously reported, “Sara and Sandro” were found by a dog walker amidst the debris of a collapsed farmhouse on the outskirts of Rome last month. Initially, police thought they were unfortunate homeless individuals caught in an accident. However, suspicions were raised when it was revealed that Mercogliano appeared to have lost an arm in an explosion, which led to their identification through distinctive tattoos.

In March, authorities mentioned they suspected the pair had been in the process of making a bomb that detonated too early. The two were known to have previous encounters with law enforcement over extremist activities, and “Sandro” Mercogliano had served a five-year prison term for attacks on politicians, journalists, and police using explosives.

Anarchist activity had faded from prominence in Europe’s security landscape since the Cold War, but it seems to be resurfacing. Recently, far-left groups have targeted infrastructure in major Western cities, including Paris and Berlin.