Letter bomb explodes at Italian police station

GENOA, Italy
(July 16, 2001 07:41 a.m. EDT ) - A letter bomb went off Monday at a police station in Genoa, site of the upcoming Group of Eight summit. One officer was injured.

Genoa is on edge before the Friday-Sunday summit of the world's industrial democracies. Tens of thousands of protesters, including some who have promised violence, are expected.

Maurizio Riu, a spokesman for the carabinieri police in Genoa, said the letter arrived at about 10:30 a.m. Monday at a suburban station. One of the officers on duty opened the envelope, which exploded, injuring his hands and face.

Riu said no one claimed responsibility. He described the officer's injuries as minor.

Italian news agencies said the letter was delivered by a young man.

Also Monday, a bomb disposal squad destroyed a suspicious van that had been parkedfor several days in front of the provincial command station in central Genoa. Riu saidthe vehicle was destroyed as a precaution.

The Genoa Social Forum, an umbrella organization of anti-globalization groups, condemned the blast and called it an attempt to discredit protest groups.

Security is tight in Genoa, where thousands of extra police and soldiers are being deployed to protect the world leaders attending the summit. Italy also imposed border controls over the weekend.

News Copyright © 2001 Interest!ALERT

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