POLICE ATTACKED WITH WEAPON LINKED TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000011

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER SOCI GR
SUBJECT: POLICE ATTACKED WITH WEAPON LINKED TO
REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE TERROR GROUP

REF: A. 08 ATHENS 1692

B. 08 ATHENS 1720

Classified By: DCM DEBORAH MCCARTHY. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Greece abruptly shifted attention from Gaza back to
domestic concerns when domestic terrorists fired upon a
police patrol guarding the Ministry of Culture in the
Exarchia region of Athens on January 5. One police officer
was critically wounded. Police officials have announced that
the perpetrators fired at least 25 rounds from an AK-47 and
-- more significantly -- from a 9 mm sub-machine gun that had
been stolen from security forces by the "Revolutionary
Struggle" domestic terrorist group. We continue to monitor
aggressively the growing domestic terrorist threat. End
Summary.

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Machine Gun Attack on Police
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2. (SBU) Shortly after 0300on January 5, two unidentified
gunmen opened fire on a Hellenic Police anti-riot detail that
was guarding the Ministry of Culture -- which is located near
the anarchist area of the Exarchia square and the Athens
Polytechnic campus. A 21-year-old police officer was
critically wounded and remains in critical condition after
several hours of surgery. The police have recovered over 25
shell casings from the attack. Prime Minister Karamanlis has
already visited the hospital and told reporters afterwards,
"Our democracy is strong. The rule of law is the strongest
protection for every citizen. We will not allow anyone to
put in doubt what we have won with the struggles and
sacrifices of all Greeks." At this time, no group has
claimed responsibility for the attack.


3. (SBU) According to police statements, the weapons used in
the attack were an AK-47 and a MP5 sub-machine gun (which
fires 9 mm cartridges). Most significantly police
investigators announced that the MP5 sub-machine gun used in
the attack had been stolen by domestic terrorists during
attacks against the police -- the most notable of these
attacks were an April 2007 attack on a Special Guard who was
guarding the residence of a former Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court and a 12/31/2004 killing of a Special Guard who
had been guarding the residence of the British DATT.
Domestic terrorist group "Revolutionary Struggle" was
believed responsible for both attacks. The police have also
noted that the stun grenade used by the attackers to
facilitate their escape was "of the same type" as stun
grenades used by domestic terrorist group November 17.


4. (C) As noted reftels, we continue to monitor aggressively
the growing domestic terrorist threat. The ongoing riots in
Greece have created space for domestic terrorists given
exhausted and demoralized security services, popular
dissatisfaction and angst, and a distracted government. The
fact that a weapon known to be in the hands of "Revolutionary
Struggle" has now been used in an attack on the police
underscores the increasing risk that domestic terrorists may
be planning a more active phase in operations.

SPECKHARD