Popular Fighters Group Explained

Popular Fighters Group
Dates:	2013 – present
Motives:	Fight against the greek state and the capitalism
Area:	Greece
Ideology:	Anarchist communism Anti-capitalism Anti-imperialism Anti-German sentiment Insurrectionary anarchism
Status:	Dormant

The Popular Fighters Group, also referred to as Group of Popular Rebels (Greek: Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών, transliterated as Omáda Laikón Agonistón), is a Greek left-wing terrorist group that is anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist. Formed as a response to the Greek Government-debt crisis the group has carried out attacks primarily targeting the Government of Greece and German organizations in Greece.^{[1] [2]}

The group gained attention not only for his attacks, published several statements explaining its political views.^[2] The group usually communicates 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

• January 14, 2013 - Gunmen attacked the headquarters of the governing New Democracy party in Athens. No one was injured.^[4]
• December 30, 2013 - Gunmen fired on the residence of the German ambassador, Wolfgang Dold. No one was injured.^[5]

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.^[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

• November 24, 2015 - An improvised device blasts outside the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) offices in Atticia, Athens, leaving material damage.^{[12] [13]}

2016

- The Popular Fighters Group (OLA) claimed the bombing against the headquarters of Greece's industrialists in Athens, occurred the last November.^{[2] [14]}

• December 12, 2016 - Members of the Popular Fighters Group (OLA) left an explosive device in the offices of the Labor Ministry in Athens. The bomb was defused by greek authorities.^{[15] [16]}

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

• November 13, 2018 - An explosive device failed to blasts in the house of the Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos in Vyronas, Athens, being defused by greek forces.^{[23] [24]}
• December 17, 2018 Bomb at the Skai TV station and Kathimerini newspaper.^{[25] [26]}

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]}

Arrests

On September 24, 2020, three suspect members of the OLA were arrested and accused of possession of firearms, explosives and carry out attacks, after an investigation which dated back more than seven months. The raid took place in the neighborhood of Koukaki, Athens.^{[30] [31]}

Notes and References

1. News: Associated Press. Greek group claims responsibility for shooting attack against German ambassador's house. 11 February 2014. The Calgary Herald. February 11, 2014.
2. Web site: Group of Popular Fighters (Anarchist Entity, Greece). AnStrat. 2024-02-28.
3. Web site: "Η Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών ανέλαβε την ευθύνη για τις βόμβες σε Eurobank και υπουργείο Εργασίας". Insider Greece. 2024-02-28.
4. Web site: Shots Fired Into Offices of Greek Governing Party. The New York Times. 2024-02-28.
5. Web site: Shots fired at German ambassador's home in Greece. The Guardian. 2024-02-28.
6. Web site: Failed rocket attack targeted Mercedes Benz offices in Greece. TheGuardian.com. 12 February 2014.
7. Web site: Alloush. Abed. Athens Blasted by 75kg Car-Bomb Outside Bank of Greece HQ. Greek Reporter. 10 April 2014. GreekReporter.com. 19 April 2014.
8. Web site: Mamakouka. Iro-Anna. Greek Counterterrorism Analysts Fear for New Attacks. Greek Reporter. 11 April 2014. GreekReporter.com. 19 April 2014.
9. Web site: Dozens of Shots Fired at Israeli Embassy in Athens. Haaretz. 2024-02-28.
10. Web site: Dozens of shots fired at Israeli embassy in Athens. AP News. 2024-02-28.
11. Web site: Group of Popular Fighters claim responsibility for gun attack on Israeli Embassy. Ekathimerini. 2024-02-28.
12. Web site: Bomb Explodes in Central Athens, No Casualties. The Wall Street Journal. 2024-02-28.
13. Web site: Athens Blast Hurts None but Fuels Fears of Domestic Terrorism. The New York Times. 2024-02-28.
14. Web site: Terrorist group says November blast at industrialists' HQ was for workers. Ekathimerini. 2024-02-28.
15. Web site: Greek police detonate suspected bomb at labor ministry. Político. 2024-02-28.
16. Web site: Greek police find bomb planted outside labor ministry. Reuters. 2024-02-28.
17. Web site: Bomb explodes outside Eurobank office in Athens. The Statesman. 2024-02-28.
18. Web site: Bomb explodes outside Eurobank office in Athens. Financial Express. 2024-02-28.
19. Web site: Greek urban guerrilla group claims responsibility for Eurobank attack. Yahoo News. 2024-02-28.
20. Web site: Popular Fighters Group claims responsibility for Athens court blast. Deutsche Welle.
21. Web site: Bomb explodes outside Greek court, no casualties. Frace24. 2024-02-28.
22. Web site: Greek guerilla group claims Athens court blast. Deutche Welle. 2024-02-28.
23. Web site: Bomb Fails to Explode Outside Greek Judge's Home. Greek Reporter. 2024-02-28.
24. Web site: Bomb squad defuses device planted outside Athens home of judicial official. SBS Greek. 2024-02-28.
25. Web site: Η Ομάδα Λαϊκών Αγωνιστών ανέλαβε την ευθύνη για την επίθεση στον ΣΚΑΪ. Greek.
26. Web site: Outrage at 'anti-democratic' bomb blast at Athens TV station. The Guardian. 2024-02-28.
27. Web site: Greek Militants Say They Bombed Media Offices to Protest 'Capitalist' Agenda. The New York Times. 2024-02-28.
28. Web site: Greek urban guerrillas OLA claim TV station attack. FirstPost. 2024-02-28.
29. Web site: Greek urban guerrillas OLA claim TV station attack. Reuters. 2024-02-28.
30. Web site: Three arrested in counter-terrorism operation against urban guerrilla group. Ekathimerini. 2024-02-28.
31. Web site: Three detainees may be tied to guerrilla group. Ekathimerini. 2024-03-01.