Greek Police Investigate Deadly Ministry Bombing

Goergios Vasilakis was killed in the bombing.

Greek police are investigating how a parcel bomb managed to evade screening and detonate inside the Public Order Ministry, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the country.

The blast late on June 24 killed Goergios Vasilakis, an aide to Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, who was unhurt.

Chrysohoidis is responsible for counterterrorism. The Public Order Ministry houses the offices of some of Greece's top police officers, as well as the antiterrorist squad and intelligence service.

Prime Minister George Papandreou condemned the blast, which he called a "terrorist" act.

"All Greeks, as a whole, condemn this. At a time when the people struggle daily to put the country back on its feet, to regain credibility, these cowards, these murderers that are hiding, want to choke peace and security, calm, and the image of our country internationally," he said. "These murderers should be aware that they will fail, because they have society against them. Our society will not be terrorized."

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast.

compiled from agency reports