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Mayor Elect of Athens Escapes Injury |
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Attack not related to November 17 terror group, officials say
Dora Bakoyianni, incoming major of Athens, was shot at on Friday while sitting in a parked car near her office close to the Acropolis, apparently the near-victim of a mentally unbalanced man. The gunman, identified as Giorgos Sandalis, a mechanic who had been treated for past mental problems, was arrested near the Acropolis.Authorities are stating that the suspecthas no apparent connection with the November 17 terrorist group who assassinated her husband, Pavlos Bakoyiannis, in 1989.
Ironically, Bakoyianni excaped more serious harm because she was bending down to reach her purse when the gunman struck at near point-blank range. Bokoyianni was injured by broken glass. A bullet penetrated the neck of her driver, Giorgos Lyberiou, who is expected to survive.
Greece has a volatile history of occasional political violence. Dora Bakoyianni was elected to the largely ceremonial post on a campaign promies of beautifying Athens for the Olympic Games in 2004. She is a former member of parliament who filled her husband's vacant seat, and she also served as culture minister for her father Constantine Mitsotakis' government during 1990-1993.
What's the Impact on Travel?
While there is no direct impact on travel or the tourist experience in Greece, the incident is likely to increase the already intense scrutiny of Greek security preparations for the 2004 Athens Olympics. While Athens is by far one of the safest capital cities in Europe in terms of street crimes perpetrated against visitors, incidents like this can make Greece a tougher sell for travel providers already facing increased travel skittishness in general.
