Chemical-laced envelopes sent to Greece: NIA probes case

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency has launched an investigation to find the suspects who sent over a dozen of identical “suspicious envelopes” carrying some chemical to the universities across

Greece

from India last month, triggering a panic in the European country last month.


Some of the envelopes had printed notes of ‘Islamic content’ inside, following which the

Greek anti-terrorism unit

initiated a probe and recently approached the Indian government.

The envelopes were sent to the universities and some private institutions in the Athens, the islands of Crete, Lesvos, Corfu and Cephalonia and other towns including Arta, Sparta and Volos among others.

The Greek authorities found out about the envelopes, suspected to be posted from India around the Christmas and new year, after the first one was discovered at the University of the Aegean in Mytilene, Lesvos, where six to seven university employees came in contact with the material inside it. They had to be rushed to the hospital for the medical examination after they complained about allergic reactions, in their mouth, nose or eyes.

In fact, the Greek authorities had to initiate its protocol for managing chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear threats following the recovery of envelopes.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection of Greece had claimed that the “suspicious substance” irritant found in the packets was an industrial chemical – probably an irritant used in the production of adhesives and printing ink, but the Greek laboratories are further analyzing it.

Indian companies export various items including dyes and chemicals, machinery, automobiles and auto parts, iron and steel, aluminium, copper, and textiles and garments to Greece.

Top sources in NIA confirmed that they have received a communication from the Greek authorities through the embassy here in New Delhi and they are looking for the origin of envelopes, person (s) responsible and whether any terror organization is behind it.

The NIA, however, officially remained tightlipped about the developments. The anti-terror probe agency, sources say, will try to locate the “suspects” through the postal stamps on the packages and details of cargo used for sending it from India. The Islamist content, written in English on some of the envelopes, has particularly raised the eyebrows although officials are yet to rule it as a ‘terror activity’ asserting it could be a mischief as well.

TOI contacted Greece’s General Secretariat for Civil Protection in Athens but couldn’t get a comment from the concerned officials.

India and Greece have friendly relations and latter has even supported India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

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