ATHENS – Previously unknown extremists have claimed responsibility for planting a small bomb on the Athens metro in February, police said, in a sign that far-left groups are increasingly turning to violence to protest against economic austerity.
A train driver had found the home-made device hidden in a backpack on an empty subway train in the February incident.
It contained two small gas canisters, 1.5 litres of gasoline, a timer, wires and batteries, but it was not primed to explode.
A statement claiming responsibility was posted on a website yesterday by a group calling itself the “February 12th Movement”.
Police said details in the seven-page letter suggested the claim was genuine.
The letter attacked the authorities’ decision to close city centre metro stations during recent protests. “If the metro is not at the service of the people, it is better that it goes up in flames,” the group’s statement said. – (Reuters)