US adds left-wing Greek group to terror list

Editor’s Note: Hate austerity? You must be a terrorist.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US State Department on Thursday added a left-wing Greek group, the Sect of Revolutionaries, to its list of terrorist organizations, saying it poses a threat to US national security.

Washington said the group, known by the Greek acronym SE, now faces a raft of restrictions and financial sanctions.

“This action will help stem the flow of finances to SE by blocking all property subject to US jurisdiction in which SE has an interest and prohibiting all transactions by US persons with the organization,” the State Department said in a statement.

It said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton singled out the Sect of Revolutionaries “because the organization’s indiscriminate terrorist activities threaten the national security of the United States.”

“SE is a Greek terrorist organization that uses violence to try to provoke a revolution and overthrow the Greek government,” the statement said.

Washington cited the murders of a police officer and a journalist, as well as two recent shooting attacks for which the group has claimed responsibility.

Daniel Benjamin, the Department of State’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism, said the move shows US solidarity with Greece in fighting a surge in left-wing extremism.

Leftist groups have stepped up their activity following major unrest after a December 2008 police shooting of a 15-year-old boy.

That incident sparked days of rioting across Greece, with initial anger at the police compounded by the country’s looming economic crisis that ultimately saw Greece reach the brink of bankruptcy, and a raft of corruption scandals burdening the government.

The killing also saw a resurgence in far-left extremist activity with several attacks specifically targeting police in ensuing weeks.

“Today’s designation of the Sect of Revolutionaries highlights the US government’s concern regarding terrorist activities carried out by organizations in Europe,” Benjamin said.

“Taking the step of designating the Sect of Revolutionaries demonstrates the US government’s support for Greece’s efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat this group,” he said.