NEWS

Judges call for more security after bomb threat

The union representing the country’s judges and prosecutors appealed on Friday for tighter security for courts and judicial officials following an incident on Wednesday when an explosive device was sent to the Athens Court of First Instance.

In a statement, the union noted that judges and prosecutors «in addition to a major responsibilities and a large workload now also face extreme danger» and called for additional security to guard the country’s courts and protect judicial officials.

On Wednesday, police bomb disposal experts were called in to Building 6 of the court complex to dispose of a suspicious package, which bore the address of the Athens Bar Association. The bomb, which comprised a battery, cables, a detonating trigger and a small quantity of explosives, was destroyed in a controlled explosion. But the development fueled fears of courts and judges being targeted by anti-establishment groups.

According to police sources, the device had been put in a package labelled “Freedom to Costas Sakkas,” a reference to an anarchist detained in pre-trial custody for two-and-a-half years due to his suspected links to the guerrilla group Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire. A court ruling last week called for Sakkas – who went on hunger strike last month to protest his prolonged detention – to be released on bail.

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