Officials acknowledged that this marked the first time in years that
insurgents targeted Greece's security chiefs. They said an investigation has
been launched into the bombing.
Insurgents have long targeted the minister of public order, responsible
for counter-insurgency policy. The latest assassination attempt was in 2006,
when a bomb exploded in the car of
Chryssohoidis's predecessor.
Officials said the latest bombing appeared to be the work of the
Revolutionary Struggle group, which claimed responsibility for numerous
bombings including the one in 2006. Revolutionary Struggle has been deemed a
terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States.
Chryssohoidis was said to have long been high on the target list of
Greek insurgents. In 2002, Chryssohoidis headed the CI effort that captured
the leaders of the November 17 group, which waged an insurgency campaign
against Athens and the United States since 1975.
"Those that invest in lawlessness and violence will receive their answer
not just from the state but from all quarters of society," Greek Prime
Minister George Papandreou said. "The government, society and citizens
cannot be terrorized."
Over the last year, the Greek minister was said to have focused on the
Revolutionary Struggle, which claimed responsibility for 15 attacks since
2003. In April, security forces captured six
alleged insurgents, including the commander of the group.
"We are not afraid," Chryssohoidis said. "We will continue to
fight."
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