Terrorism in Greece

Terrorism in Greece is primarily committed by far-left, 'revolutionary' Marxist organizations.

Banned terrorist organizations

Revolutionary Organization 17 November

The Greek government arrested many members of the 17 November organization in the summer of 2002. In 2003 15 members were found guilty of multiple murders and convicted for more than 2,500 crimes. In December 2005 a three-judge panel began an appeals trial. [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3395.htm Background Note: Greece] United States Department of State]

Revolutionary Struggle

The Revolutionary Struggle is a far-left Greek paramilitary group known for its attacks on Greek government buildings. It is widely described as a terrorist organization by both the Greek governmentcite web|url=http://www.greekembassy.org/Embassy/content/en/Article.aspx?office=1&folder=844&article=15291|title=Revolutionary Struggle' terror group claims responsibility for attacks on labor ministry, police buses|publisher=Embassy of Greece to the United States|date=June 10, 2005|accessdate=2007-01-12] and the media.cite news|author=George Gilson|title=Robin Hood terrorists|url=http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.print_unique?e=C&f=13162&m=A08&aa=1&eidos=A|publisher=Athens News|date=December 23, 2005] cite news|title=U.S. Embassy in Athens Is Attacked|publisher=New York Times|date=January 12, 2007|author=Anthee Carassava|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/12/world/europe/12cnd-greece.html?em&ex=1168750800&en=6973ee656fb02618&ei=5087%0A]

Revolutionary Nuclei

The Revolutionary Nuclei is a far-left, anti-U.S., anti-NATO, and anti-European Union terrorist organization. It is the successor organization to the Revolutionary Struggle. RN has fought against the "imperialist domination, exploitation, and oppression" of Greece since 1995. [http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/terrorist-groups.cfm List of known terrorist organizations] Center for Defense Inforation]

RN members bombed the Citigroup offices in Athens and a Greek-American sculptor's studio in November 2000. In December 1999 RN setoff explosives near Texaco's offices in Athens.

Terrorist attacks

The Abu Nidal Organization attacked a City of Poros day-excursion ship in 1988. [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Terrorism/terror_report_orgs.html Background information on terrorist groups] Jewish Virtual Library]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks the Greek government allowed the U.S. to use Greek airspace and joined the War on Terror. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom the Greek Navy kept a frigate in the Arabian Sea for almost two years. The governments of the United States and Greece signed protocols updating treaties on extradition in January 2006.

2007 United States embassy attack

On 11 January 2007 members of the Revolutionary Struggle fired an anti-tank missile at the United States embassy in
Athens, failing to injure anyone. Byron Polydoras, the Greek public order minister, said an anonymous phone call from a member of the Revolutionary Struggle claimed responsibility. Traffic on roads came to a halt as police searched the area for suspects. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/12/world/europe/12cnd-greece.html U.S. Embassy in Athens Hit by Rocket Attack] - The New York Times]

Counter-terrorism

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met with Vangelis Meimarakis, the Minister of National Defence, and Byron Polydoras the Minister of Public Order, on 18 January 2007. They discussed terrorism and the use of CCTV, which Defense Minister Meimarakis supports. Public Order Minister Polydoras updated Prime Minister Karamanlis on the investigation into the U.S. embassy attack. [http://news.ert.gr/en/1/22833.asp Terrorism at the focus] EPT]

References