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1ST LEAD: Greek police arrest 11 Iraqis over terrorism threat 4-25-2007
Athens (dpa) - Greek
police arrested 11 Iraqi immigrants on Wednesday after receiving information
of a possible al-Qaeda terrorist attack against the United States Embassy in
Athens.
Officials conducted searches in various homes
around the embassy late on Tuesday and blocked the streets around the diplomatic
mission on Wednesday morning after receiving information from an Iraqi national
of a possible plan to attack the embassy.Traffic could be seen backed up for hours in central Athens as police cordoned off the main road in front of the embassy. Searches were still being conducted at various buildings in the area. Police had originally told residents and drivers in the area that the operation was an exercise. According to reports the immigrants have been taken to police headquarters for questioning but explosives were found. Security around the embassy in central Athens has been heightened following a rocket attack on the building in January which caused minor damage and no injuries. A far-left group, Revolutionary Struggle, later claimed responsibility for the attack saying their action was in response to US military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last month the Greek and US governments offered separate million dollar rewards for information leading to the arrest of members of the terrorist group. |
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