Two gunmen fire shots at Greece’s socialist party HQ

  • Shots heard outside Pasok’s headquarters in Athens, no injuries reported 
  • Police officer said to have gun aimed at him, but they ducked for cover
  • TV debate was to decide who should lead broader socialist alliance
  • Pasok leader Fofi Gennimata blamed government for inability to tackle violence

Two gunmen opened fire outside the headquarters of Greece’s socialist Pasok party in central Athens this evening – just an hour before a televised debate.

Authorities said that there were no injuries from the shooting but there had been damage to a nearby clothes store.

It comes ahead of a televised debate by between left-leaning candidates on who should lead a broader socialist alliance.

Gunshots were heard outside Pasok’s Athens headquarters just an hour before a televised debate on who should lead a broader socialist alliance

Detectives were on the scene to gather evidence after the shooting. No one was injured in the chaos

Detectives were on the scene to gather evidence after the shooting. No one was injured in the chaos

A police official said: ‘There were about 30 people inside the party’s headquarters when at least four shots were fired. Two men were seen leaving the scene on a motorbike.’

One of the gunmen pointed his weapon directly at a policeman but the officer managed to take cover, an official said, hinting that officers and not the party were the target of the attack.

Pasok has a history of being the target of violent attacks, with current leader Fofi Gennimata heaping blame on the government for its failure to address the issue.

Gennimata told Greek television: ‘We have repeatedly been the target of attacks. We have repeatedly warned the citizens protection minister in the past.’

Attackers shot at riot police guarding the Pasok offices in January this year, injuring one officer. 

Anarchists have pelted the entrance with petrol bombs in the past.  

Pasok dominated Greek politics prior to the country’s financial crash but has now plummeted to become the nation’s third largest party, controlling just 19 of the 300 seats in parliament.  

One of the gunmen pointed his weapon directly at an officer but managed to take cover, an official said, hinting that officers and not the party were the target of the attack

One of the gunmen pointed his weapon directly at an officer but managed to take cover, an official said, hinting that officers and not the party were the target of the attack

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