Greek terror group claims responsibility for attack on TV network

By Anthee Carassava

Sunday, February 22, 2009
ATHENS: A Greek terrorist group has claimed responsibility for opening fire on a private television network in Athens last week, vowing additional attacks against journalists, the police said.

The attack was the second this month by a far-left group called Sect of Rebels and the latest in a wave of attacks that has gripped the nation since violent riots in December and revived fears of domestic terrorism here after several years of relative stability.

In the attack Wednesday, a makeshift grenade was thrown and 14 bullets were fired at the Athens headquarters of the Alter TV network. The group also attacked an Athens police station on Feb. 3. No one was hurt in either episode.

In a statement Friday, the Sect of Rebels said it intended to expand its campaign to include attacks against journalists.

"By attacking the specific station we are sending an ultimatum to all journalists," the statement said. "The period in which you were target-free is over." It condemned journalists as "colluding with the corrupt establishment."

Anti-government riots shook Greece in December after the police shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Athens. Militant youths rampaged through several cities, destroying scores of businesses and causing about $1.3 billion in damage.

In the last month, three militant groups have carried out more than 20 attacks on banks, prosecutors, defense lawyers and police officers.

Earlier this month, the police foiled a car bombing at Citibank's Athens headquarters.

Homegrown terrorism had largely waned since the authorities dismantled Greece's deadliest groups before the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

"Now we're almost back to where we were before the Olympics," said a police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.