Bomb attacks on Greek court

Two powerful timed bombs have exploded at Athens' main court complex, injuring a policeman and damaging one of the buildings.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the twin blasts, which added to security concerns for next year's Olympics.

The explosions occurred within 20 minutes of each other at the closely guarded compound that includes courts, prosecutors' offices and other legal departments.

The area was mostly deserted when the first bomb went off at 2:50 am local time. A second, more powerful, bomb detonated just a few yards away, injuring a police officer, authorities said.

The first bomb blew out windows and a door on one building in the complex, which is surrounded by a fence.

An armoured police booth was damaged by the second blast. Except for the damaged building, the courts are now operating normally.

Bomb experts said the devices were triggered by battery-operated clocks. It was similar to one placed by a new group - calling itself Popular Revolutionary Action - outside the offices of a US insurance company in July.

The bomb did not explode on that occasion. Police also examined possible links to sympathisers of the terrorist cell November 17. Nineteen suspected members of the group are currently on trial.

November 17 is blamed for 23 killings and dozens of other attacks since 1975.