An unidentified individual attempted to ignite the entrance of the Greek Consulate General in New York by drenching the entry area with a flammable liquid and setting the plants nearby alight. The incident was reported by TASS and later confirmed by Greek officials.
The flames were quickly controlled and extinguished thanks to the swift response of the fire brigades. Dinos Konstantinou, the Consul General of Greece in New York, conveyed this development during an interview with the Greek television network ERT-1.
Constaninou described the event: “An unknown person tried to ignite the entrance of the Greek consulate in New York by using a flammable liquid poured on the surroundings near the doorway.” He praised the rapid action of the fire department, noting that their intervention prevented the fire from spreading further. He also confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
He added that similar incidents have occurred in the past but cautioned that the motives behind such acts remain unclear at this stage. “While the investigation is ongoing, the police will identify the perpetrator, and security camera footage will be reviewed to uncover more details,” Konstantinou stated.
The Consulate General building houses not only the consular office but also the residence of Greece’s Consul General and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Konstantinou indicated that the FBI is expected to take part in the investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating the matter.
The Consul General highlighted the importance of the Greek community in the United States, especially in the New York area. He estimated that around half a million Greek Americans live in and around New York City, even though official tallies may vary. He emphasized that their ongoing efforts help preserve Greek traditions, maintain ties with the homeland, and advance Greece’s interests abroad.
In a separate note, the Consulate General in New York had previously hosted an exhibition featuring works by Greek artists living in the United States. One provocative piece showed the Greek flag redesigned with pink stripes instead of the traditional blue and white. The display drew strong criticism from Dimitris Natsios, head of the right-wing opposition party Niki, who demanded the flag’s removal. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis ordered that the pink flag be taken down. The designer, Georgia Lale, explained to the Vima newspaper that the pink flag was intended as a symbol in the fight against domestic violence. She added that she regretted how her work was interpreted and reiterated that victims of femicide and domestic violence symbolize the struggle for life and freedom both in Greece and globally.
Earlier reports from Niger referenced a separate incident involving the deprivation of a diplomat’s immunity, specifically mentioning the French ambassador. This note underscores the broader context in which diplomatic security and international relations intersect with local incidents and policy responses.