Italy investigates Greek embassy bomb

Police in Italy have launched an investigation into whether an anarchist group has sent a parcel bomb to the Greek embassy in Rome.

The explosive device was loaded in a large padded yellow envelope with a CD case inside and was intended to detonate when opened.

The package reportedly arrived on Friday but was left unopened because of the Christmas holidays.

Italian anarchist group the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI) has claimed responsibility for sending the package as well as other similar packages sent to the Chilean and Swiss embassies some four days ago.

Italian police on Tuesday confirmed a link between Italian and Greek anarchists, saying the Italian group was responding to an appeal from its Greek counterparts to step up attacks, the Associated Press reported.

On Thursday, the parcel bombs sent to two other embassies in Rome went off, costing an employee of the Chilean Embassy two fingers and also injuring a Swiss Embassy staff member.

The interception of the bomb at the Greek embassy was followed by about 10 false alarms at other foreign embassies in Rome.

An Italian anarchist group named the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI) claimed responsibility for the bombing attacks at the Swiss and Chilean Embassies.

“We have decided to make our voice heard with words and deeds. Let us destroy the system of domination… Long live anarchy,” read a note by the group found at the scene of the Chilean Embassy blast.

The note was signed by the “Lambros Fountas Cell” — a reference to a Greek far-left activist killed in a shoot-out with police forces in March 2010.

Italian embassies abroad have been put on alert as investigators said last week that more similar attacks were likely to take place.