Authorities continue investigations at a rapid pace following the “blind” attack on journalist Giannis Pretenteris‘ home in Neo Psychiko, with the explosive device found wrapped in insulating tape. According to SKAI’s report, the insulating tape constitutes a very critical element for the investigation, as it “traps” evidence ranging from genetic material to fingerprints. It should be noted that previous terrorist acts have been solved in the past through insulating tapes on the mechanism.
The incident likely took place during the night, where the perpetrators passed by the street and after lighting the fuse threw the device into the front yard of the four-story building where the well-known journalist resides. The device was discovered by the gardener, who informed the police. It’s worth noting that the fuse had fortunately extinguished, which is why it didn’t “explode.” Regarding the investigation’s progress, it’s very significant that the device was recovered intact, something that strengthens the chances of finding more evidence by the police. The evidence can concern not only the people who constructed it, but it’s possible that some posts from the recent past that also contain threats against journalists might at some point reveal the moral perpetrator of this attack.
Bomb at Giannis Pretenteris’ home: The timeline, the counter-terrorism unit and the explosive device
It should be recalled that the incident of discovering an explosive device occurred on Thursday afternoon (10/7) at Giannis Pretenteris‘ home in Neo Psychiko, immediately raising alarm in the area. According to what became known, the bomb was spotted by the house’s gardener, who notified Giannis Pretenteris’ guard and forces from the Counter-Terrorism Service and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit rushed to the scene. The bomb ultimately did not explode, was collected by EOD personnel and has been sent to forensic laboratories for analysis, however the incident is characterized as particularly serious by the Greek Police. The case, according to parapolitika.gr’s information, was upgraded immediately, as it passed directly from the usual preliminary investigation authority, State Security, to the Directorate for Combating Special Violent Crimes (DAEV).
Currently, the Counter-Terrorism Service is examining all possibilities, although as everything indicates, the answers will come from the examination of the explosive device by the competent pyrotechnicians and the Forensic Laboratories.
Why the explosion didn’t occur
As emerges from police sources, the high-power explosive device, which consisted of dynamite and detonator, did not function due to a failure in the wiring.
What happened is that it essentially was activated, combustion had started, however due to an error the explosion did not occur. The hopes of the Counter-Terrorism police rely on the hands of the capable personnel of the Forensic Service to examine the material and possibly produce either fingerprints or DNA samples.
Pretenteris’ first reaction
Giannis Pretenteris spoke on Mega’s main news bulletin about the explosive device found at his home on Thursday afternoon (10/7). Among other things, he mentioned: “I had left the house, I learned about the bomb on the way. My security personnel informed me. I continued, the others turned back.”
He continued saying: “They told me the gardener found it. It didn’t explode for one reason or another. I hadn’t received any warning or any threatening phone calls in recent years.” Indeed, the well-known journalist commented that it’s “chilling in our Democracy that such minds are circulating.”
“Chilling that such minds are circulating”
The well-known journalist emphasized: “I want to say that it’s very difficult to feel this violation of your privacy, of your home, that someone goes to burn it down, for what reason? Because he doesn’t agree with you, because he disagrees with what you say or what you write or what he hears or whatever one can imagine. I say then that 51 years after Democracy, in very few hours we will celebrate the 51 years of Democracy, it’s really chilling in our Democracy that such types of minds continue to circulate because you can wonderfully disagree, not approve, not write, but to go burn someone else’s house, you must be a bit disturbed in your mind. We will endure them, as long as the bombs don’t explode.”
He added: “I have great confidence in the Counter-Terrorism people and the Greek Police, who will find a solution. Every other time I’ve been threatened, they found a solution. I hope their investigations pay off and they find out exactly what happened and by whom, so they can go their way,” Giannis Pretenteris added. “It’s not the first time and I hope to always be healthy so it won’t be the last.”
Political parties condemned the incident
New Democracy condemned the anti-democratic act of the bombing attack that Giannis Pretenteris suffered at his home in Neo Psychiko with an official statement, stating: “We unequivocally condemn the attack on journalist Giannis Pretenteris’ home and expect the obvious and necessary condemnation from all parties. Our Democracy is not intimidated, press freedom is not terrorized.” Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, with a post on social media, also referred to the incident expressing his disapproval.
PASOK also took a position through an official statement stating: “We express our categorical condemnation of the terrorist attempt against journalist Giannis Pretenteris” and adds: “Violence has no place in Democracy.”
In a statement from SYRIZA’s press office commented on the matter: “We condemn the bombing attempt at journalist Giannis Pretenteris’ residence. Terrorist actions undermine our democracy.”
On the same wavelength, the Communist Party states: “The KKE condemns the attempted bombing attack on journalist Giannis Pretenteris’ home. Such actions are exploited for misdirection, criminalizing political opposition and criticism, and ultimately cultivating a climate of terrorism for the unimpeded implementation of anti-popular policy.”
