Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-06-24

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Aim of terrorists will not be achieved

[01] PM: Aim of terrorists will not be achieved

"I express my grief and indignation, the grief and indignation that every Greek citizen feels over today's terrorist attack, that resulted in the loss of a human life.

"In a period when the country and our people are waging a daily struggle for the exit from the crisis, cowardly murderers want to deal a blow at normalcy and our democracy, Greek society, the interests of the Greek citizens and the sacrifices that they are making today for the country to stand on its feet.

"Those investing in illegality and force will receive their reply not only from the state, but from our society as well in its entirety. The aim of the terrorists will not be achieved. The government, society, the citizens will not be terrorised. I express personally and on behalf of the government my warm condolences and our support to the family of dead police officer George Vassilakis."

Citizen's Protection Minister

Confirming, earlier, his adjutant's death, George Vassilakis, 52, Citizen's Protection Minister Mihalis Chrisohoidis's said he lost a valuable associate and friend.

The bomb attack occured just after 8 p.m. at the adjutant's office on the seventh floor of the ministry's building.

"I lost a friend, a valuable associate and father of two children," the minister said, adding that "those who murdered him will be brought to justice. Our struggle will continue against terrorism."

Chrysohoidis also said that the bomb was destined for himself, but his adjutant paid with his life.

Police are investigating how the explosive device was brought into the ministry and reached the 7th floor.

According to ministry sources, all the security systems and weapons and explosives detection devices were functioning normally. However, it is considered almost certain that the bomb was in a parcel that was destined for the minister, but it was opened by his adjutant, as he always did with mail.

Details of the case are expected to be announced when the investigation is completed.

ND leader Samaras

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras made the following statement:

"It is a hideous and unprecedented criminal attack, that cost the life of a human being and gravely offended the Law and Democracy. In the face of such cases of monstrosity we place the unity of our people and our absolute decision to tackle the evil at its root. I express my deep regret and I jointly suffer with the family of the victim."

Earlier Samaras had telephoned to Citizen's Protection Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis and was briefed "on the explosion at his adjutant's office and expressed his shock and support over the slaying of his adjutant," according to a party's press release.

KKE leader

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga also condemned on Thursday night the bomb attack against the Citizen's Protection Ministry that resulted in the killing of the minister's adjutant.

Papariga was addressing a party rally in the central Greek city of Volos.

LAOS party deplores

Opposition Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party deplored on Thursday night the death of Citizen's Protection Minister's adjutant, George Vassilakis, in a bomb attack at the ministry.

"The death in a terrorist attack of a valuable officer of the Greek Police causes great grief. At the same time, we remain with strong queries regarding the efficiency of the ministry. When terrorists can strike in the office of the minister himself, how can the citizen feel secure in his neighbourhood or home," LAOS said in a statement.

SYRIZA statement

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) said in an announcement regarding the bomb attack at the Citizen's Protection ministry and the killing of the minister's adjutant that "it is an act that can only be condemned unequivocally. SYRIZA has its own framework of values that does not compromise with force, even more so when it takes a human life."

The announcement added that "we are experiencing extremely difficult moments. Greek society, particularly the working people and young people, are being pressured unbearably by the policy of the government. Unfortunately, we cannot be optimistic today."

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