Arsonists target summer home of ex socialist PM Costas Simitis

Counter-terrorism officers were on Friday examining the remains of a makeshift bomb that detonated in the early hours of the morning outside the summer home of former socialist prime minister Costas Simitis in Aghioi Theodoroi, near Corinth, causing widespread damage but no injuries.

Noone was in the house at the time of the suspected arson attack which destroyed the house’s living room and kitchen, according to the fire service. The perpetrators had planted the bomb in front of the main balcony door which they had doused with petrol, according to sources. The authorities were alerted after the fire caused by the device set off the house’s alarm system.

Simitis, whose primary residence in the capital, was prime minister under PASOK between 1996 and 2004.