Popular Fighters Group
Greek left-wing terrorist group
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The Popular Fighters Group, also referred to as Group of Popular Rebels (Greek: Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών, transliterated as Omáda Laikón Agonistón), was a Greek left-wing terrorist group that was anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist. Formed as a response to the Greek Government-debt crisis the group carried out attacks primarily targeting the Government of Greece and German organizations in Greece.[1][2]
| Popular Fighters Group | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 2013 – 2019 |
| Motives | Fight against the greek state and the capitalism |
| Active regions | Greece |
| Ideology | Anarchist communism Anti-capitalism Anti-imperialism Anti-German sentiment Insurrectionary anarchism |
| Status | Inactive |
The group gained attention not only for its attacks, it published several statements explaining its political views.[2] The group usually communicated through statements on anarchist websites or left behind the statements for journalists in public places.[2][3] According to authorities, the former EA operative Panagiota Roupa allegedly wrote some of the OLA's tractates.[2]
Attacks
2013
2014
- January 12, 2014 - The group claimed to have fired rocket at the Greek headquarters of Mercedes-Benz in Varympompi, Athens. Greek investigators had not noted such an attack; however, they later discovered evidence that a rocket had indeed been fired but missed its target, instead landing in a nearby field.[1][6]
- April 10, 2014 - The group is believed to be responsible for a car bombing outside of the headquarters of the Bank of Greece in Athens. No one was hurt in the attack.[7][8]
- December 12, 2014 - Armed assailants opened fire against the Israeli embassy in Atticia, Athens. leaving only material damage.[9][10] The Popular Fighters Group claimed the attack weeks later in a statement.[11]
2015
2016
- The Popular Fighters Group (OLA) claimed the bombing against the headquarters of Greece's industrialists in Athens, occurred the last November.[2][14]
2017
- April 14, 2017 - Militants blasts a Eurobank branch in Athens, left important material damages.[17][18] Days later the Popular Fighters Group claimed the attack in an anticapitalist statement.[19]
- December 22, 2017 - the group claimed responsibility for a bombing against the Court of Appeals in Athens. The group press release stated that "Justice is like a snake. It will only bite those barefoot" as justification for the attack.[20][21] Days later, the OLA claimed the attack in response of sentences received against guerrilla members in the last years.[22]
2018
2019
In January, the OLA claimed the attack against Skai TV, accused media of being a tool to strengthen "rotting economic and political system".[27][28][29]