The Department of State has designated the Conspiracy of Fire Nuclei (SPF), also known as Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Synomosia Pyrinon Tis Fotias, and Thessaloniki-Athens Fire Nuclei Conspiracy, under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224. SPF is a Greece-based extremist group. It has targeted civilians and government officials, both Greek and foreign, in an attempt to spread its violent anarchist ideology. The group first emerged in January 2008 with a wave of fire-bombings against car dealerships and banks in Athens and Thessaloniki. Four members of the group were arrested in 2009 following the evolution of the group’s tactics to employ more sophisticated bombs.
In November 2010, SPF attempted to mail parcel bombs to EU government offices in Germany and Italy, as well as foreign embassies in Greece. The Government of Greece has made important strides in countering the threat posed by SPF and other terrorist organizations based in Greece. Earlier this year, for instance, Greek authorities arrested two SPF members for their involvement in the 2010 mail parcel bombings. Today’s designation complements the efforts of Greek authorities dealing with the threat posed by anarchists. SPF is the third anarchist group designated by the Department of State since 2009.
The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against U.S. persons providing material support or resources to, or engaging in other transactions with SPF, and the freezing of all property and interests in property of the organization that are in the United States, or come within the United States, or the control of U.S. persons. The Department of State took this action in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.
