Athens, Greece. A letter bomb has underscored that even the most quiet life led in the era of terrorism is at risk of sudden and immediate change as Greek security officials are scrutinising courier and postal services after a letter bomb attack on Thursday that left former prime minister Lucas Papademos in an Athens hospital.
Papademos, who underwent surgery after sustaining injuries to his leg, stomach and chest, opened the envelope as he was being driven home in Athens. Two Bank of Greece employees were also wounded. A statement from the Greek health ministry said he was being treated for wounds in his right thigh and upper body.
The Greek national media on Friday said the focus was on the letter’s trail and how it came to arrive in his hands after being sent to his house. Earlier, it had been thought the letter had been posted to the Academy of Athens, which is headed by the respected economist, who is a former vice-president of the European Central Bank.
Counter-terrorism experts fear other booby-trapped parcels may have slipped into the system. “They are clearly becoming much better in their tactics and more innovative,” said Mary Bossi, professor of international security at Piraeus University.
Greek counter-terrorism suspicions have fallen on a homegrown group, the Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire, who recently claimed responsibility for sending letter bombs to the German finance ministry and the Paris offices of the International Monetary Fund.
Radical groups have vowed to strike at the establishment at leaders behind the handling of the country’s debt crisis are now feared to be prime targets.
“I unequivocally condemn the attack against Lucas Papademos,” the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, tweeted. “I wish a speedy recovery to him and the people who accompanied him.”