‘Popular Fighters’ group said to be behind attack on Israeli embassy
Greek Police said ballistic tests showed that the weapons used in the pre-dawn attack against the Israeli embassy in Athens Friday were the same ones employed in a similar shooting outside the German ambassador’s residence in Athens in December last year.
A small left-wing terrorist group called “Popular Fighters” had claimed responsibility for that attack, which caused no injury.
Unknown attackers fired dozens of bullets at the facade of the embassy in Athens without causing any injury in a drive-by attack on one of the Greek capital’s best-guarded buildings.
Police said 54 bullet casings from two AK-47 assault rifles were recovered outside the embassy, on a busy road junction that was closed to traffic for hours.
Nobody has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred long before the building opened for business.
Officials in Athens condemned Friday’s shooting, stressing it would not affect the country’s close ties with Israel.
“The Greek government is fully determined to ensure the protection of all diplomatic missions in Greece,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. “Of course, particularly strong security and protection measures are in force at the Israeli embassy.”
Leftist SYRIZA opposition also condemned the attack.
Traffic in the area was restored after 1 p.m. [AP, Kathimerini]
