Two bombs exploded outside the central Athens courts early on Friday, injuring one police guard and causing some damage, police officials said.

The bombs were triggered about ten minutes apart, with the second explosion injuring the officer as he went to investigate the first, a police official told Reuters. The courts were closed at the time.

"The explosions around 3 a.m. (8 p.m. EDT) damaged parts of building seven of the courts and slightly injured the officer who rushed to the scene of the first blast," the official said.

No one has claimed responsibility for the explosions, but the official said they may be in response to Thursday's testimony in the trial of a Greek Marxist accused of being the founder of the November 17 guerrilla group and 18 other leftist guerrilla suspects.

November 17, before being dismantled last year, killed 23 British, Turkish and U.S. diplomats as well as Greek politicians and businessmen over 27 years.

"It may well be in response to Alexandros Giotopoulos' testimony. It may be an act of solidarity for the terrorists on trial," the official said.

The group was considered the biggest domestic security threat to next year's Athens Olympics.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+HK withdraws National Security Bill ( 2003-09-05) +Official: No signs of major earthquakes ( 2003-09-05) +High alert stressed against influenza ( 2003-09-05) +China urges US to honour its word on Tibet ( 2003-09-05) +Road map to easy ride in Beijing ( 2003-09-05)		+Bomb blasts rattle central Athens, one hurt ( 2003-09-05) +Russian helicopter carrying nine crashes ( 2003-09-05) +Official: Saddam scientists justified war ( 2003-09-05) +N.Korea ferry leaves Japan, can return regularly ( 2003-09-05) +Canada fire forces evacuate, burns historic spans ( 2003-09-05)