Greek police are seeking suspects who authorities said set off a string of homemade bomb devices outside the homes of a number of journalists residing in Athens early on Jan. 11. The devices, made of gas canisters, exploded outside residences in the areas of Alimos, Aghia Paraskevi, Lycavittos, Penteli and Maroussi. No injuries were reported but the explosions damaged the buildings’ entrances.
The attacks were reported 3:40-4:45 a.m. No group immediately claimed responsibility but various extremist groups have accused journalists of being complicit in the Greek government’s acquiescence to the demands of international lenders to keep cutting pay, raising taxes and slashing pensions.
Among the journalists targeted, authorities said, were George Oikonomeas of Mega TV, Antonis Liaros, Antonis Skyllakos, Chris Konstas and Petros Karsiotis. Fire crews rapidly responded and limited the damage. During his telecast, Oikonomeas said the attack in his case was at a former residence.
“The only thing that scares me is that there are such people who think in that way. The fact that they believe that they can change the world in such way or that they have the right to play such games, terrifies me. I have never hired private security and I will never do so,” he said.
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