July 20, 2010
Greek journalist murdered
New York Times with report on the killing of Sokratis Giolias by Rebel Sect (also called "Sect of Revolutionaries") , a group that seems to be filling the void left by the destruction of the November 17 group. As if Greece didn't already have enough bad publicity with the economic upheaval:
" A Greek reporter was shot dead on Monday by leftist urban guerrillas outside his home in an Athens suburb, the first murder of a journalist in Greece in more than 20 years, the police said.
The reporter, Sokratis Giolias, 37, the news director at a radio station, was shot several times at close range. No one claimed responsibility for the killing, but a ballistics investigation showed that the guns used had been used in earlier attacks by the Rebel Sect, one of Greece’s deadliest militant guerrilla groups, according to a police statement."
More from an article by Harry Papachristou at The Scotsman:
"Giolias' murder was the first killing of a journalist in Greece since the mid-1980s, when left-wing guerrilla group November 17 assassinated a conservative newspaper publisher.
The Rebel Sect, which has said that journalists are among its targets, opened fire last year on the headquarters of private Alter TV, without causing any injuries.
Rebel Sect is one of Greece's deadliest militant guerrilla groups. In June 2009, it claimed responsibility for the killing of a Greek anti-terrorism policeman in Athens. He was shot several times at close range."
From the Kathimerini editorial on the murder:
"Just like the bomb that exploded last month at the offices of Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, killing one of his close aides, yesterday’s attack is a clear message to the Socialist government that it must intensify investigations into the these violent undercurrents.
Greece has enough credibility problems already. This country cannot afford to project to the world the image of an underdeveloped country in which terrorists and organized crime can take human lives wherever and whenever they feel like it."
BBC Reports with other info:
"Sokratis Giolias, 37, was shot more than 15 times in the Athens neighbourhood of Ilioupoli.
According to colleagues, he had been about to publish the results of an investigation into corruption.
Police said ballistics tests tied the killers' guns to previous attacks by the Sect of Revolutionaries.
They had initially discounted the idea that leftist militants might have killed Mr Giolias.
The Sect of Revolutionaries (SR) has threatened members of the media in the past. Last year they attacked the headquarters of private broadcaster Alter TV, without causing any injuries."
Greece's Golden Visa program
