May 25 (UPI) — Former Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos and a driver were injured after a bomb exploded inside his car in Athens on Thursday, officials said.
Neither man’s injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
The BBC reported the explosive device was a mail bomb tucked inside an envelope Papademos was carrying. The incident is reminiscent of the parcel bombs that targeted European financial institutions in March, including officials from the European Union, the International Monetary Fund in France and the German finance ministry.
Papademos, who prior to becoming prime minister had been a leading banking figure, became the face of the Greek government’s harsh austerity measures during the nation’s debt crisis. He was appointed by Parliament to lead a caretaker government in 2011 and served until 2012 under terms of a deal struck with other European countries.
During that time, the Greek government made deep cuts to social programs as part of a bailout by other EU countries to help stave off financial collapse from the nation’s mounting debt. The cuts were unpopular with many Greek citizens, sparking violent protests.
No militant group has claimed responsibility for the bomb.
