Cars damaged in attacks on Israeli and Thai embassies in Athens

Firebombs damaged two cars belonging to the Israeli and Thai embassies in Athens.

Firebombs damaged two cars belonging to the Israeli and Thai embassies today in Athens, Greek police said. No injuries were reported.

A previously unknown group calling itself Units of Revolutionary Violence claimed responsibility for the pre–dawn attacks in an anonymous call to two Athens radio stations.

The group said the attack was in support of people it claimed were illegally imprisoned in Turkey. The caller did not name any specific cases or clarify why vehicles from the Israeli and Thai embassies were targeted

The cars had been parked in the central Athens area of Ambelokipi. Both vehicles carried diplomatic license plates, but the Israeli embassy said its car did not belong to a diplomat. The Thai embassy said its vehicle was being used by an administrative staff member.

The firebombs, consisting of camping gas canisters and fuel–soaked rags, caused significant damage to the cars, police said.

Shadowy arson gangs in Greece carry out dozens of attacks each year targeting the cars and offices of government agencies, large companies and diplomatic missions. The attacks usually occur late at night and rarely cause any injuries.