ATHENS – The firebombing of a major media group’s headquarters in the Greek capital united the ruling New Democracy Conservatives and SYRIZA Leftists in condemnation of the attack.
“Any attempt to intimidate journalists is doomed to fail,” the government’s press office said in a statement, although Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been accused by media freedom groups of trying to stifle reporters.
Reports said three homemade bombs exploded at the offices of Real Group in Maroussi, north of Athens, around 3.30 a.m.on July 13 said Kathimerini, the building housing Real FM rado and Real News daily newspaper and web site.
There was extensive damage and videos showed flames roaring through the roof of the top-floor office but no injuries were reported although several workers were there at the time, no word on how entry was gained.
Mitsotakis, in a phone call to journalist Nikos Hatzinikolaou, head of Real Group, vowed that perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice after police said three homemade explosive devices were detonated.
Leftist opposition leader Alexis Tsipras also condemned the incident as “yet another attack on media freedom” in Greece, using it as a chance to take a sideways shot at Mitsotakis facing criticism from journalist groups.
Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis joined in the denunciations and tweeted that, “Terrorism will not prevail” although no one immediately claimed any responsibility in a country with many terrorist groups.
A preliminary police account said the remnants of three gas canisters were found in the building between the basement and first floors of the office building, said Al Jazeera news site.
Hatzinikolaou said on Twitter he believed the company wastargeted, but did not say by who. “Explosions and fire at Real FM and Realnews! They’re burning us! They are trying to shut us down,” he wrote.