Bomb explosion planted near the Greek Ministry of Labor

The bomb exploded at 01:29 near the Ministry of Labor on Stadiou Street in the center of Athens, causing material damage to the façade and windows of the building, as well as adjacent buildings.

The bomb was placed in a backpack hanging on a railing opposite the Ministry of Labor in front of a bank branch, which is closed for renovations. According to police estimates, the bomb was placed in such a way that the shock wave was directed towards the Ministry of Labor.

Police sources say it took some time for members of the organization to take responsibility for the warning phone call. In particular, the explosion was preceded by two warning telephone calls from unknown persons to the newspaper’s editorial office. Initially, the man warned that an explosive device was planted near the ministry building and would be detonated in 40 minutes, but then he called again and clarified that the device was located across the road from the ministry, in front of a bank branch. In addition, the person said that the new organization “Revolutionary Class Self-Defense” (οργάνωση “Επαναστατική Ταξική Αυτοάμυνα”) was responsible.

According to ΕΛ.ΑΣ., the police received a call from the editorial office at 00:48. Law enforcement officers immediately cordoned off the area and began stopping vehicle traffic on Stadiou Street. At the same time, a team of sappers arrived at the scene. The mechanism, as a law enforcement source clarified, exploded at 01:29, causing material damage.

Stadiou Street remained blocked all night while the pyrotechnics of ΕΛ.ΑΣ. combed the area for evidence. The discovered remains of the explosive device were taken to the forensic laboratory for examination. As it became known, traffic on Stadiou Street was restored at about 9 am, Saturday 3/02.

“The incident is very serious and falls into the category of serious crimes,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. A preliminary investigation into the case is being conducted by the Anti-Terrorism Service (Aντιτρομοκρατική Υπηρεσία, ΔΑΕΕΒ), which collects images from cameras near the scene of the incident.

Police sources said that “it is too early to assess the new organization (“Επαναστατική Ταξική Αυτοάμυνα”), but any similarities in its activities with older similar anarchist unions are being clarified.”

Source link