Bomb Explodes Outside Home of Greek Conservative Politician

ATHENS, Greece – A small bomb in a saucepan exploded early Friday outside the home of a prominent Greek conservative politician in Athens, causing damage but no injuries, police said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the pre-dawn blast outside the home of European Parliament member Marietta Giannakou, which followed warning telephone calls to a newspaper and a television station.

The explosion occurred as authorities are battling a spike in violence by far-left militant groups. On Tuesday, six police officers were wounded when gunmen sprayed an Athens police station with automatic weapon fire.

Giannakou was at home when the time-bomb exploded, damaging a car and breaking the glass entrance to her apartment block.

"Police told us that a (suspicious) bag was at the entrance of the building. The explosion was terribly loud," Giannakou said.

"I am sad for my country. I am sad that there are so many people who feel so much hate, who have no limits, who shoot at police," she said. "I will not be afraid to express my opinions openly."

Earlier Friday, a small incendiary bomb made of camping gas canisters exploded outside a building hosting Spain's honorary consul-general in the northern city of Thessaloniki. Police said the blast caused no damage or injury.

Militant attacks increased following massive riots in Athens and other Greek cities last year, triggered by the police's fatal shooting of a teenage boy in central Athens.

Police are bracing for more possible violence ahead of the Dec. 6 anniversary of that fatal shooting.

Police officials said the bomb used Friday was similar to devices made by an obscure group calling itself Conspiracy Nuclei of Fire, which has claimed responsibility for several bombings, including a blast at a conservative rally ahead of the Oct. 4 that caused no injuries.

Giannakou, 58, was an education minister in a previous conservative government. Last year, her fractured right leg was amputated following complications from diabetes that threatened her life.

She said she had been publicly threatened in a previous statement issued by one militant group and expressed dismay that police were not guarding her home.

"I'm not going to ask for anything. The state must carry out its duties," she said. "People who have been threatened should not ask for anything. Do we have a state or not?"