Just ten days after a bomb exploded in front of the headquarters of a television station in Athens, another hand-held incendiary device exploded on Thursday in front of a church in the Greek capital. Two people, a police officer and the church warden, were slightly injured.
The explosion took place at 7:10 am, in front of the Saint-Denis church, located in the upscale neighborhood of Kolonaki. The device exploded as the police officer, was investigating the suspicious package. The officer was hospitalised with minor injuries to his face and hands. The church employee, who was also slightly injured, was transferred to a nearby hospital.
According to the first information given by the police, the package was placed in one of the alleys surrounding the church of Saint-Denis. The neighborhood was soon cordoned off and a large large security operation put in place including anti-terrorist service specialists. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack. The district of Kolonaki is close to that of Exarchia, where there are frequent clashes between police and anarchists.
Speaking to local media a priest from the church of Saint-Denis said: ” I do not understand why they targeted a church, Jesus is love, I do not understand why they did not warn me, a television or a newspaper.”
Attacks against broadcasters, banks, public institutions or diplomatic representations have been recurrent in Greece for years, attributed to anarchist or far-left groups.
