Greek Anarchists Claim Insurance Company Bombing

A radical Greek anarchist group claimed responsibility Monday for an overnight bomb attack that damaged an insurance company headquarters in central Athens, and pledged to step up its bombing campaign.

Nobody was hurt in the explosion Sunday night outside the Ethniki Insurance building, which followed a warning call to an Athens newspaper. The blast caused extensive damage to the building’s ground floor and to several parked vehicles.

The Conspiracy Nuclei of Fire group said in an online statement that it attacked the company, a subsidiary of dominant lender National Bank of Greece, to protest the “Christmas consumer spirit” and display of wealth.

Police said they were investigating the claim.

Conspiracy Nuclei of Fire has targeted several politicians in recent months with small bombs, causing no injuries. Since the end of September, Greek police have arrested and brought terrorism charges against five suspected members of the group, which first claimed responsibility for a string of arson attacks.

The proclamation said the bomb used in Sunday’s attack was “an upgraded device” intended to cause extensive damage. The group pledged to use similar, powerful devices in the future, and expressed solidarity with jailed radical anarchists in Greece, Chile and Germany.

Far-left and anarchist political violence in Greece has increased since fatal police shooting of an Athens teenager in December 2008 that sparked extensive rioting.

The attacks have claimed the life of one police officer, while bombs have targeted the Athens Stock Exchange, banks and a private TV station.

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