Shots fired at German ambassador's residence

Police forensic experts conclude their search outside German Ambassador Wolfgang Dold's residence, following an attack by unknown gunmen early December 30, 2013 in an Athens suburb. Unidentified assailants opened fire on the German ambassador's residence in Athens with a Kalashnikov assault rifle early on Monday in an attack seen as an attempt to sour relations between debt-laden Greece and its biggest creditor nation. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)

A terror investigation is underway after the German ambassador’s residence in the Greek capital Athens was shot at in the early hours of the morning. Dozens of rounds from a Kalashnikov assault rifle were fired at the building, mostly hitting the steel gate at the entrance. No one was hurt and little damage done, but the attack came amid anti-German sentiment during Greece’s prolonged economic crisis. Berlin is blamed by many Greeks for the devastating austerity measures imposed as part of the all-but-bankrupt country’s EU bailouts. Germany is the biggest single contributing nation to those bailouts. Police believe the shooting – which occurred at 3.40 am – was the work of leftists. No one has claimed responsibility. It was condemned by Greek politicians from the left and the right, including the anti-bailout opposition Syriza party. The Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos called it a “cowardly terrorist act” targeting Greece’s image. The euronews reporter on the scene, Stamatis Giannisis, said: “The attack on the German ambassador’s residence occurred just 48 hours before Greece is due to take over the presidency of the European Union. It has caused grave concern to some in the government who fear this incident might mark the beginning of new terrorist activity aimed at capitalising on the widespread anti-austerity sentiment among the Greek people.” German Ambassador ==Wolfgang Dold= – who was at home during the shooting – said whoever was responsible would “not succeed in disrupting the close and friendly relations of our two countries”. The German ambassador’s residence has been attacked before. In May 1999 members of a terrorist group called ‘November 17’ fired a rocket which hit the building’s roof.

Police investigate a street outside the residence of German Ambassador to Athens Wolfgang Dold, in the northern suburb of Halandri, Greece Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. Police in Greece said the home of Germany’s ambassador was sprayed with gunfire from automatic weapons in an overnight attack that caused no injuries. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Unidentified assailants opened fire with a Kalashnikov assault rifle on the German Ambassador Wolfgang Dold's residence in Athens on Monday, Dec. 30. The attack is seen as an attempt to sour relations between debt-laden Greece and its biggest creditor nation.

Bullet holes are seen on the wall as German Ambassador in Greece, Wolfgang Dold, walks into his residence following an attack by unknown gunmen early December 30, 2013 in an Athens suburb. Unidentified assailants opened fire on the German ambassador's residence in Athens with a Kalashnikov assault rifle early on Monday in an attack seen as an attempt to sour relations between debt-laden Greece and its biggest creditor nation. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)

A police officer walks in front of the residence of German Ambassador in Greece, Wolfgang Dold, following an attack by unknown gunmen early December 30, 2013 in an Athens suburb. Unidentified assailants opened fire on the German ambassador's residence in Athens with a Kalashnikov assault rifle early on Monday in an attack seen as an attempt to sour relations between debt-laden Greece and its biggest creditor. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)

A terror investigation is underway after the German ambassador’s residence in the Greek capital Athens was shot at in the early hours of the morning. Dozens of rounds from a Kalashnikov assault rifle were fired at the building, mostly hitting the steel gate at the entrance. No one was hurt and little damage done, but the attack came amid anti-German sentiment during Greece’s prolonged economic crisis. Berlin is blamed by many Greeks for the devastating austerity measures imposed as part of the all-but-bankrupt country’s EU bailouts. Germany is the biggest single contributing nation to those bailouts. Police believe the shooting – which occurred at 3.40 am – was the work of leftists. No one has claimed responsibility. It was condemned by Greek politicians from the left and the right, including the anti-bailout opposition Syriza party. The Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos called it a “cowardly terrorist act” targeting Greece’s image. The euronews reporter on the scene, Stamatis Giannisis, said: “The attack on the German ambassador’s residence occurred just 48 hours before Greece is due to take over the presidency of the European Union. It has caused grave concern to some in the government who fear this incident might mark the beginning of new terrorist activity aimed at capitalising on the widespread anti-austerity sentiment among the Greek people.” German Ambassador ==Wolfgang Dold= – who was at home during the shooting – said whoever was responsible would “not succeed in disrupting the close and friendly relations of our two countries”. The German ambassador’s residence has been attacked before. In May 1999 members of a terrorist group called ‘November 17’ fired a rocket which hit the building’s roof.

A bullet hole is seen on the wall as German Ambassador in Greece, Wolfgang Dold, stands at his residence's balcony following an attack by unknown gunmen early December 30, 2013 in an Athens suburb. Unidentified assailants opened fire on the German ambassador's residence in Athens with a Kalashnikov assault rifle early on Monday in an attack seen as an attempt to sour relations between debt-laden Greece and its biggest creditor nation. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (GREECE - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)