Was Theodoros Boulgarides simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? This plaque commemorates a tragic event. It marks the spot where Theodoros Boulgarides, a Greek shopkeeper, was murdered. Boulgarides was born in Greece in 1964. At the age of nine, he moved to Munich with his family.
Theodoros Boulgarides opened a locksmith shop in Munich’s Westend. Just two weeks later, on June 15, 2005, he was dead. He was the seventh victim of the National Socialist Underground or NSU. The NSU was a right-wing terror cell.
Theodoros Boulgarides was shot in his shop. The same weapon was used in other NSU murders. Initially, investigators suspected Boulgarides of criminal activities. They interrogated his family and friends. They asked about drugs, the Turkish mafia, and even sexual abuse. A lawyer for the family, Angelika Lex, noted a disturbing absence. The investigators did not consider a right-wing motive.
The NSU’s self-exposure in 2011 revealed the truth. Boulgarides was a victim of right-wing terror. His widow, Yvonne Boulgarides, became a co-plaintiff in the NSU trial. Boulgarides’ mother and brother moved back to Greece after the initial, flawed investigations.
Theodoros Boulgarides’ business partner, Wolfgang F., discovered the body. He testified about the ordeal during the NSU trial. He said that the police tried to smear Boulgarides. This devastated not only the relatives. Wolfgang F. lost relationships, money and employees.
His daughter, Mandy Boulgarides, continues to seek justice. Ten years after the NSU was exposed, she demanded accountability. She urged people to fight for their rights and to question society. The family wants answers.
Today, this Theodoros Boulgarides Plaque serves as a stark reminder. It reminds us of the NSU’s victims and the flawed investigations that followed. It stands for the importance of fighting racism and seeking justice. Let us remember Theodoros Boulgarides. Let us learn from this tragedy.