Gunman strikes police unit in central Athens

Authorities say a police officer has been wounded in central Athens after shots were fired at a police bus outside the headquarters of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) in Athens, local media reported on Tuesday.

The attack occurred at around 6am. The police unit guarding the PASOK office arrived for the morning shift when an unidentified gunman opened fire at the bus from what is believed to be a Kalashnikov assault rifle, making three shots.

Two bullets hit the windshield and one hit the wall of a building. One police officer sustained light injuries and was taken to hospital, the media added.

According to Greek media reports, the gunman managed to escape to Athens’ Exarcheia district where many anarchist organisations are located. This is an area of Athens where anarchist groups frequently clash with police.

It is not clear whether he acted alone and the attack has occurred in the wake of the arrest of fugitive Pola Roupa, a Revolutionary Struggle terrorist group member. The Revolutionary Struggle group is said to have carried out bombings and shootings, including firing a rocket at the U.S. Embassy in Athens in 2007.

The group has been designated as a terrorist organisation by Greece, the European Union and the United States.