Organization for Revolutionary Self-Defense

The Organization for Revolutionary Self-Defense (Greek: Οργανισμός Επαναστατικής Αυτοάμυνας, commonly shortened to Revolutionary Self-Defense, OEA) was a Greek militant organization active in the metropolitan area of Athens. The group was dismantled after an anti-terrorist operation in November 2019.[1]

Organization for Revolutionary Self-Defense
Organismós Epanastatikís Aftoámynas
Dates of operation25 May of 2014 (25 May of 2014)–9 November of 2019 (9 November of 2019)
Active regionsAthens, Greece
IdeologyInsurrectionary anarchism
Post-left anarchy
Anti-capitalism
Anti-police sentiment
Social anarchism
Notable attacksAttacks against Embassys and political party headquarters
StatusDisjointed

History and activities

His first attack was the 25th May of 2014 when members shot the headquarters on the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) headquarters in Athens, Greece. The attack no reported casualties and the Organization claimed responsibility for the incident in an internet statement.[2][3][4]

The Mexican embassy in Athens, one of the targets attacked by the group

The Revolutionary Self-Defense group claims to fight to "construct a mass internationalist revolutionary movement, by strengthening militant resistance on the entire spectrum of class antagonism". The group claimed the shooting attack against the Mexican embassy (occurred the 2 November), According to them, their purpose is "to form an international revolutionary movement", while blaming the French, Mexican and Greek states for their attitude towards refugees, social movements, the natural environment and local communities. They say that they were careful not to endanger citizens who were passing by, and they point out that the attack on the Mexican embassy occurred a week after the 20th anniversary of the assassination of anarchist Christopher Marinos by the EKAM.[5][6] The second attack a policeman, who had been on guard outside the embassy, was wounded when the assailants threw a hand grenade on the French embassy building.[7][8][9]

On 10 January of 2016 an assailant opened fire on a Hellenic Police bus outside the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) headquarters at the intersection of Harilaou Trikoupi Street and Arachovis Street in Athens. At least one officer was injured in the assault. The Organization for Revolutionary Self Defense claimed responsibility for the incident.[10][11]

The 6th November Militants shot against members of the riot police when they are parked in frony of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party headquarters in Exarcheia neighborhood, Athens, Greece. The incidents left no one injured, and militants claimed the incident days later.[12] The group is suspected to attack the Russian embassy in Athens.[13]

The group raised funds through bank and business robberies around the Metropolitan area of Athens, assaults being better known in OPAP gaming store in Holargos on October 21, 2019.[14][15][16]

Arrests
The French embassy in Athens, victim of an attack on November 10, 2016

In the 1'th November of 2019, 13 homes have been reportedly raided and 15 people questioned by the counter-terrorism Department of Greek Police. Two men in their 40s were arrested on charges of terrorist acts, possession of explosives, violation of weapons law and tampering with official documents. A 39-years old woman has been also arrested for violation related with arms law. Police is seeking for a suspect 46-year-old man.[17][18]

According to a statement by Police, the arrestees appear to be involved in the break-in of a store that sold entertainment and technology games in Holargos suburb of Athens on October 21. The 41-year-old man was arrested in 2010 for membership in the terrorist group “Revolutionary Struggle” (Epanastatikos Agonas). He served a jail sentence and was released in February 2018 on remand for the rest of his sentence. In the raided homes police found and confiscated among other 5 Kalashnikov rifles, 4 hand grenades with CS gas fillers, 17 detonators (9 of them remote-controlled) and various explosives including gelatin-dynamite, also possible TNT.[19][20] A ballistics examination of the weapons showed that one Kalashnikov had been used in an attack for which the “Revolutionary Self-Defense” had assumed responsibility. The authorities confirmed that the group did not plan new attacks and were staying in hiding.[21] Days later the two suspects aged of 41 and 45 were charged with five attacks related to the militant group. The suspects under the Greek law they can be detained for up to 18 months pending trial.[22]

References
  1. "Radicalization and Terrorism in Greece". European Eye on Radicalization. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  2. "Greek police investigate signs of gun attack on co-ruling party HQ". El Economista. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  3. "New group claims responsibility for attack on PASOK HQ in May". Ekhatimerini. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  4. "Attack on PASOK HQ reveals police officers being placed at serious risk". Ekhatimerini. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  5. "Shots Fired at Mexican Embassy in Athens". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  6. "Bullet hole at Mexican Embassy caused by assault rifle, investigators find". Ekathimerini. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  7. "Athens: Armed attacks against Mexican and French Embassies – Communique from the 'Organisation of Revolutionary Self-Defense' – 'Towards a New International Revolutionary Movement' (Greece)". 325 Nostate. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  8. "Revolutionary Self Defense Organization claims two embassy attacks in Athens". Torno News. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  9. "Grenade blast outside French Embassy in Athens wounds 1". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  10. "Greece: Policeman injured in shooting at political party". AP News. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  11. "Greece: Policeman injured in shooting at political party". Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  12. "Gun used from Greek PASOK shooting used in past guerrilla attacks against police". Reuters. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  13. "Greek police identify explosive thrown at guard booth outside Russian Embassy". TASS.com. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  14. "Επαναστατική Αυτοάμυνα: Πέντε χρόνια δράσης με ριπές από το καλάσνικοφ "σφραγίδα" της οργάνωσης (In Greek)". News 247 Greece. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  15. "Ληστεία σε κατάστημα ΟΠΑΠ στον Χολαργό". Astronomiko. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  16. "Ένοπλη ληστεία σε κατάστημα ΟΠΑΠ στον Χολαργό (In Greek)". Praktores. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  17. "Greek counterterror operation yields 3 arrests, arms cache". AP News. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  18. "Επιχείρηση Αντιτρομοκρατικής: Βρέθηκε η γιάφκα της "Επαναστατικής Αυτοάμυνας" στην Κυψέλη 8(In Greek)". CNN Greece. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  19. "Greek cops arrest 3, seize arms cache in 'anti-terrorist' raid". News24. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  20. "Two men suspected of planning Athens attacks remanded in custody". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  21. "Ηγετικό στέλεχος Επαναστατικής Αυτοάμυνας : Η οργάνωση δεν σχεδίαζε άλλη επίθεση (In Greek)". Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  22. "Two 'urban guerrilas' charged over Athens embassy attacks". EU-OCS. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
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