Hand grenade thrown at café on Achernum Street – second attack on same establishment
Two people on a motorcycle threw a defensive-type hand grenade into a café on Achernum Street shortly after 04:00. The Hellenic Police are investigating a possible connection with an attack on the same establishment on 8 September.
Second attack on same café – TEEM removed hand grenade
Shortly after 04:00 in the early morning, two people riding on a motorcycle threw a defensive-type hand grenade into a café on Achernum Street. The hand grenade did not detonate. A team from TEEM (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit) safely removed the explosive device after traffic in the area had been previously halted.
According to Ethnos, the authorities are investigating both the motive for the attack and its possible connection to a previous attack on the same establishment, which took place on 8 September.
Police Spokesperson: Being investigated whether establishment was the target
Speaking to ERT News and the programme "Syndéseis", Constantia Dimoglídou, Spokesperson for the Hellenic Police, stated that it is being investigated whether the new attack was specifically targeting the said establishment.
As Dimoglídou clarified, following the incident on 8 September, no complaint regarding threat or extortion had been recorded by the owners. She stressed the importance of establishment owners informing the authorities in the event that they have received a threat or an attempted extortion.
The Extortion Department is taking on the new case
Regarding the previous incident on 8 September, Dimoglídou stated that a case file has already been formed by the Organised Crime Directorate, whilst the investigation has been undertaken by the Extortion Department. The same department will undertake the investigation of the new case.
Parallel investigation into arson in Nea Ionia
The Hellenic Police spokesperson also referred to a separate arson incident that took place last week in an establishment in Nea Ionia. That arson had caused a major fire and posed a danger to residents of surrounding apartment buildings.
According to Dimoglídou, the authorities are carefully examining the circumstances of that attack; however, no information has emerged so far regarding extortion or threat against the establishment. It is being investigated whether the incident is connected to an earlier attack, although, as she clarified, the ownership status of the establishment in Nea Ionia was different – it does not concern the same owner.
Source: Ethnos