Bulgarian labour union activist speaks out after acid attack

Bulgarian labour union activist Konstantina Kouneva, maimed by an acid attack in December 2008 in Petralona, Greece, has spoken of her ordeal nearly a year later.

She told Greek daily Kathimerini that in the aftermath of the horrific attack, she felt no resentment or hatred towards the attackers but only pity.

"We must not allow the creation of causes and circumstances that fuel violence," she said in an interview published by Kathimerini on November 16 2009. "I wondered what problem that kid could have had to push him to resort to violence. How did he grow up?. There is no doubt that he was put up to it and paid for it," she said.

According to the report, Kouneva attributed the attack to "unemployment and job insecurity".

In December 24 2008, Kouneva was attacked with sulphuric acid in Athens, suffering extensive injuries to her face, neck, arms and back.

The Bulgarian, who held a position in the union of domestic servants in Athens, was attacked in front of her home by two unknown assailants. At the time of the attack, Bulgarian and Greek media claimed the attack was a warning or punishment for her trade union activities.