Greek police are investigating how a parcel bomb managed to evade screening and detonate inside the Public Order Ministry, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the country.
The blast late on June 24 killed Goergios Vasilakis (photo), an aide to Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, who was unhurt.
Police said it was too early to blame any specific group for the attack.
Serious questions have arisen regarding security at the building which is the heart of police operations in Greece and is supposed to be one of the country’s most heavily guarded sites.
The bomb was hidden in a cardboard box and consisted of half a kilo (one pound) of gunpowder and ammonium nitrate.
Police say a letter bomb that killed a close aide to Greece’s minister in charge of law enforcement had originally been sent to the minister’s political office by regular mail.
The name of the sender was listed as Christos Karavellas — a former executive of Siemens AG’s Greek branch who is a suspect in a corruption case.
A bomb disposal unit also found the remains of a battery and a hook that was likely used to activate the explosives when the box was opened, the source added.
Prime Minister George Papandreou told parliament on Friday that the perpetrators of the “heinous terrorist act” would not win.
“The murderers should know that they will fail because they have the state and all of society against them. Our society cannot be terrorised,” the prime minister added.
The Hellenic parliament and Greek political parties on Friday expressed their abhorrence over Monday night’s parcel bomb explosion at the Citizens Protection ministry that killed minister Michalis Chryssohoidis’ aide-de-camp, and extended their condolences to the family of the deceased police lieutenant.
Relevant statements were made by the parliament president and political party leaders who were taking part in the session to discuss current questions tabled by the minor opposition parties during the Hour of the Prime Minister.
“This action and the sick minds that planned and executed it, with the aim of hurting normality in the country, which is struggling to overcome its problems and exit the crisis, is condemned by the entire Greek people and all the MPs of the Hellenic Parliament,” parliament president Philippos Petsalnikos said.
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras made the following statement concerning the explosion at the Citizen’s Protection Ministry on Thursday night:
“It is a hideous and unprecedented criminal attack, that cost the life of a human being and gravely offended the Law and Democracy. In the face of such cases of monstrosity we place the unity of our people and our absolute decision to tackle the evil at its root. I express my deep regret and I jointly suffer with the family of the victim.”
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
