Parties condemn threats against banker, journalist

Greek parties across the political spectrum yesterday condemned a terrorist threat against the country’s central banker and a prominent journalist.

Central Bank Governor Giorgos Provopoulos received an envelope containing two 7.65 mm bullets and a threatening note signed by a previously unknown group calling itself “Popular Avengers.” Yiannis Pretenderis, a talk show host at Mega TV and commentator at Ta Nea newspaper, also received a similar package.

In both cases, the envelopes were stopped by metal detectors before reaching the offices of the recipients. They were picked up by members of the police’s anti-terrorism squad and sent to be examined by forensic experts.

In a statement yesterday, coalition leader New Democracy condemned the act. “The perpetrators are acting in vain if they think they can sow fear and create a climate of insecurity,” the statement said, while ND’s socialist partner PASOK spoke of “mafia-style acts aimed at damaging the country.”

Leftist opposition SYRIZA, which has in the past been accused by the conservatives of tolerating terrorism, condemned the acts. A party statement said that the move has a “disorienting effect that can be exploited by those who want to instill a broad sense of insecurity across society.” The Communist Party (KKE) and Democratic Left issued similar statements. Last year, a group calling itself Cretan Revolution sent package containing a bullet to Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras.