Self-styled anarchists splash paint at residence of US ambassador
Members of the Rouvikonas (Greek for Rubicon) anti-establishment group on Wednesday morning splashed paint at the wall outside the residence of US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt in Athens.
The members of the group drove up to the residence on motorcycles and fled immediately after the stunt.
Police say they have detained eight suspects over the incident.
In a post on the anarchist Indymedia website, Rouvikonas claimed responsibility for the vandal attack, saying it was carried out in solidarity with hunger-striking terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas. The group also posted a video of the attack.
In a message on his Twitter account, Pyatt condemned the attack, describing it as “childish vandalism.”
“[I] will continue to work with Greek authorities to punish the culprits according to law. Destruction of property is not peaceful protest,” he said.
The attack was also condemned by Greece’s foreign ministry as an “unacceptable and irresponsible act that will however not harm the friendship and increasingly broad cooperation between our two countries.”
It is the third time that the American ambassador’s residence has been targeted in recent months.
The incident took place following a march by self-styled anarchists late Tuesday to demand a prison leave for Koufodinas. Unknown individuals firebombed the headquarters of socialist PASOK party after the protest.
Kalimera, I woke up to more childish vandalism this morning outside the residence and will continue to work with Greek authorities to punish the culprits according to law. Destruction of property is not peaceful protest.
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@USAmbPyatt) May 15, 2019
