Europe News

Bomb attack and drive-by shooting spark crime wave fear in Athens

Jul 11, 2009, 7:43 GMT

Athens - A bomb exploded outside the home of the former Greek minister of the interior early Saturday, sparking fears of a renewed crime wave in the capital. Nobody was hurt in that attack, which followed an earlier drive-by shooting in which three migrant workers were slightly injured. On Friday night a bus transporting police officers came under fire from a masked gunman, with at least two shots striking the vehicle, although no injuries were reported, according to state television. There was no immediate motive for the attack on the three migrants, although police suspect the perpetrator may be part of a right-wing network, rather than treating the attack as a purely criminal act. The bomb attack against the home of Panagiotis Hinofotis, who previously had responsibility for Greece's police, followed an anonymous tip-off. Police sealed off the scene, but the device went off before there was time to defuse it, causing some damage to the property. Greece has been racked by convulsions of violence since the police shooting of a 15-year old boy in December last year sparked weeks of rioting. In addition to general lawlessness, several leftwing urban guerilla outfits have committed acts against state targets, whilst rightwing or racist groups have targeted immigrants.

Europe News

Bomb attack and drive-by shooting spark crime wave fear in Athens

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