Konstantina Kouneva


Konstantina Kouneva[acid throwing|], also known as Kostadinka Kuneva, is a Bulgarian immigrant in Greece, trade unionist and secretary of the Greek Trade Union of Cleaners and Housekeepers. She was elected as an MEP in the 2014 European Parliament elections.
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Attack and reactions

Kouneva was working as a cleaner for the IKOMET company. On the night of 23 December 2008, and while on her way home from work, she was
attacked by unknown assailants with sulfuric acid, leaving her face horribly disfigured, and resulting in the loss of sight in one of her eyes. Kouneva was also reportedly forced to swallow a portion of the acid, something which completely destroyed her esophagus and heavily damaged other internal organs. This event sparked protests and clashes with the Greek police during the 2008 civil unrest in Greece.
The protests, which included banners reading "Konstandinka, you're not alone", continued at least until 22 January 2009 and numbered 3,000 people, with tear gas being used by the MAT police forces.
The attack was described as the most severe assault on a trade unionist in Greece in 50 years.

Education

Kouneva graduated from the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo with a degree in History.

Politics

She was elected to the European Parliament as a candidate of the left-wing SYRIZA party in the European Parliament election held on 25 May 2014.