Greek anarchists throw paint onto U.S. envoy's residence, 9 held

Nine suspects have been detained after Greek anarchist group Rouvikonas (Rubicon) claimed responsibility on Wednesday for an attack where paint was thrown onto U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt's residence here, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Demanding the approval of convicted terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas' request for furlough, Rubicon posted a video on an anti-establishment website showing a group of motorcyclists throwing black and red paint at the residence's outer enclosure.

In a post on social media, Pyatt said that following the act of "childish vandalism," he "will continue to work with Greek authorities to punish the culprits according to law."

Greece's Foreign Ministry also condemned the act of vandalism as an "unacceptable and irresponsible act, which will however not harm the friendship and widening cooperation between our two countries."

It was not the first time that the U.S. ambassador's residence has been targeted in recent months.

Koufodinas, a leading member of the extremist group November 17 which was dismantled in 2002, is serving 11 life sentences in jail for murder. Since May 2 he has been on a hunger strike after judicial authorities rejected his application for a furlough, the seventh in two years.

In recent days anarchists have held protests in Athens, during which they often damage properties. Rubicon has launched dozens of similar attacks against ministries, embassies and businesses in recent years.