ATHENS, Greece – Suspected terrorists shot dead an anti-terrorist squad police officer guarding a witness in a trial against a Greek militant group in central Athens early Wednesday, authorities said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which occurred at about 6:20 a.m. 0320 GMT in the residential district of Patisia.
Greek domestic terrorist groups have stepped up attacks since the country was struck by massive riots in December, triggered by the fatal police shooting of a teenage boy. But Wednesday's attack marked a severe escalation, as the vast majority of attacks so far have been late-night bombings that have not caused any injuries.
Police said the officer had been on guard in a car in Patisia when he came under attack by at least three gunmen who fired about 15 shots. The officer died at the scene, and television footage showed him slumped over in the driver's seat of the vehicle shortly after police cordoned off the area.
He had been guarding a witness in the trial of the far-left Greek terrorist group Revolutionary Popular Struggle, known by its Greek acronym ELA.
Before disbanding in 1995, ELA was blamed for killing a police officer and a Supreme Court prosecutor, as well as scores of bombings over 20 years. More than 30 attacks were aimed at American targets, mostly in the early 1980s, including the bombing of the U.S. ambassador's residence, embassy vehicles, and branches of American banks and companies.
In 2004, four people were convicted of being involved with ELA and were sentenced to 25 years in prison. But all have appealed their convictions.
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