Alter Ego Media Condemns Bomb Attack at Journalist’s Home: “Freedom of Speech Is Sacred”

A bomb was discovered on Thursday outside the home of prominent Greek journalist and publisher of the newspaper To Vima, Yannis Pretenteris, prompting a swift and unified response from media organizations and political figures across Greece. The explosive device, which failed to detonate, has sparked strong condemnation and renewed concerns about press freedom and political violence in the country.

bomb attack Pretenteris

Alter Ego Media, the media group that owns To Vima, issued a forceful statement denouncing the attempted bombing, describing it as a “blind and cowardly terrorist act” and affirming its unwavering support for the journalist. “Freedom of speech is sacred and inviolable,” the group declared. “Democracy not only allows, but demands the free exchange of ideas, tolerance for differing opinions, and acceptance of criticism.”

Εντοπίστηκε εκρηκτικός μηχανισμός σε πολυκατοικία που διαμένει γνωστός τηλεοπτικός δημοσιογράφος στο Ψυχικό. Ο χώρος έχει αποκλειστεί από αστυνομικές δυνάμεις, ενώ αναμένεται και κλιμάκιο της ΔΑΕΕΒ. Στο σημείο βρίσκεται προληπτικά και κλιμάκιο της Πυροσβεστικής. Σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες τον εκρηκτικό μηχανισμό εντόπισε ο φρουρός του δημοσιογράφου. Όπως προκύπτει από τα πρώτα στοιχεία ο μηχανισμός εντοπίστηκε τυλιγμένος μέσα σε νάιλον σακούλα στην αυλή του σπιτιού του, Πέμπτη 10 Ιουλίου 2025 (ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ/EUROKINISSI)

The statement stressed that acts of intimidation against members of the press are unacceptable and urged state authorities to rise to the occasion and protect democratic values.

A Close Call

According to police reports, the bomb was discovered around 15:15 on Thursday afternoon by Pretenteris’s gardener, who noticed a suspicious bag near the fence of the residence. Inside, officers from the Explosives Disposal Unit found five sticks of ammonium dynamite with a slow-burning fuse.

The device was deactivated before it could detonate, but experts warned that it could have caused fatal injuries had anyone been nearby during ignition. Police officials suggested that the bomb had been placed from outside the property and that its failure to explode was likely due to a fault in the detonation mechanism or deterioration of the materials used.

Greek police are currently reviewing security footage and investigating the incident. The anti-terrorism unit has taken over the case.

“No Warning, No Threats”

Speaking to local media, Yannis Pretenteris confirmed there was no prior warning or threatening phone call ahead of the attempted attack. “There were no threats, no prelude, nothing,” he said. “It’s chilling that minds capable of such things are still walking among us in a democracy.”

He added that while this is not the first time he has faced such attacks, it remains a disturbing experience. “It’s deeply unsettling to have your home violated just because someone disagrees with your views or your writing,” he noted.

Pretenteris expressed trust in law enforcement and the anti-terrorism authorities, who he said had solved similar cases in the past.

Unified Political Condemnation

The bomb attack was swiftly and unequivocally condemned by Greece’s political leadership. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated: “We categorically condemn the attack at Giannis Pretenteris’s home. Democracy will not be intimidated. The freedom of journalists to express their opinions is non-negotiable.”

He called on society to not only denounce such actions, but also to reduce the growing toxicity in public discourse.

Parliamentarians from all major parties echoed this sentiment:

PASOK declared that “violence has no place in democracy” and denounced the incident as a terrorist attempt.
SYRIZA labeled the bombing “a threat to our democracy.”
The Communist Party (KKE) condemned the act as “reprehensible,” emphasizing that such actions only serve to justify further crackdowns on social movements.
Democracy Movement and other political figures, including MP Andreas Loverdos, also issued statements calling for “zero tolerance to violence and terrorism.”

Democracy and Dialogue Under Threat

As Greece prepares to mark 51 years since the restoration of its democracy, the attack has sparked deeper reflection on the state of public discourse and press freedom. In a country that has historically wrestled with political polarization, the bombing outside Pretenteris’s home is seen as a stark reminder of the fragile line between dissent and extremism.

Alter Ego Media’s statement concluded with a reaffirmation of its commitment to pluralism and free expression, noting that threats and violence will not silence independent journalism.