Anti-terrorism authorities are investigating
Bomb explodes in front of ministry in Athens
February 3, 2024, 10:51 a.m
During the night, an explosive device exploded in front of the Ministry of Labor in the center of the Greek capital. According to Greek police, no one was injured in the incident. Accordingly, a previously unknown, presumably left-wing extremist group is claiming responsibility for the crime.
According to police, an explosive device was detonated in front of the Ministry of Labor in the Greek capital Athens early this morning. There were no injuries, said the Greek police with. The device exploded at an intersection between the Ministry of Labor and a branch of Alpha Bank, Greek Radio reported ERTnews.
A Greek newspaper had previously received a call from an unknown person saying that a bomb had been planted at the ministry. The newspaper informed the police, who then cordoned off the area. The building was damaged in the subsequent detonation and windows were broken, the police said. As ERTnews reported, the explosive device was placed in a bag in front of the gate of a bank near the ministry.
Tradition of political violence in Greece
A previously unknown organization called the “Revolutionary Self-Defense of the Classes” claimed responsibility for the crime. Autonomous and left-wing underground organizations have repeatedly carried out similar attacks in recent decades. They describe themselves as a kind of urban guerrilla who uses their attacks to overthrow the state and wants to take revenge for the social injustice in the country.
Greece has a long history of political violence. Smaller bombings and arson attacks occur frequently and in most cases do not cause major damage. They are predominantly attributed to left-wing extremist or anarchist circles. The government nevertheless said it was concerned about the incident. “The attack is very serious and has to do with a serious crime,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis told Open TV. According to police, the anti-terrorism agency has taken over the investigation into the latest case.