In an exclusive, To Vima’s Sunday, November 5 issue has published excerpts of ex-prime minister Lucas Papademos’ deposition about the May 25 letter bomb attack against him, as well as details about the activity of the 29-year-old man charged with the crime.
“The envelope that was delivered to me, because of its shape and size, gave me the impression that it contained a book on the one side, with the other side being empty. I opened the envelope from the empty side, tearing it by hand from side to side,” Papademos testified.
“After opening the envelope, I brought it near my eyes to check the contents. That is when I realized it was not a book, but rather a box that looked like a large case for CDs. It was covered, perhaps by machine, by tightly wrapped plastic. Then I moved it away from my eyes and chest and placed it on my legs, in an effort to remove the plastic cover. That is when the box exploded in my hands. At the same time I heard a deafening sound,” the former European Central Bank executive said.
“The cabin of the car filled with smoke and gases and I felt their pressure, as the car I was riding in was rocked by the explosion. I felt an intense pain and burning and I immediately saw the blood and wounds that I had on my face,” he added.
The deposition was given by Papademos on May 31. 2017. He said the package was delivered to his residence in Athens’ upscale Paleo Psyhiko neighbourhood. Papademos said all packages delivered to him at home, including the letter bomb, are inspected by Greek Parliament officers.
The 29-year-old charged with the attack – he denies the charges – was named by police as Konstantinos K, and is believed to have sent a string of letter bombs, to then German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and to other European politicians and bureaus.
Police found weapons caches in two apartments, one on Alkamenous St., and another in Athens’ Exarheia neighbourhood. The culprit was in the process of transporting weapons when arrested.
The arrest of the 29-year-old, the discovery of the weapons, and the intense activity in anti-authority circles, with the possibility of other attacks by the Group of Popular Fighters and other armed groups, have raised major concerns for Greek police.
The accused was found to possess a number of fake state-issued ID’s, including one belonging to a plane mechanic who had inspected a helicopter once chartered by Revolutionary Struggle terrorist group member Paula Roupa to help in the prison escape of her partner Nikos Maziotis in 2016.
Police believe the 29-year-old had no plans for another Athens attack any time soon.
