Chemical-laced envelopes sent to Greece: NIA probes case

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency has launched a probe to find the suspects who sent over a dozen identical "suspicious envelopes" carrying some chemical to universities across Greece from India last month, triggering panic in the European country.

Some of the envelopes had "Islamic content" inside, following which the Greek anti-terrorism unit initiated a probe and approached the Indian government.

The envelopes were sent to the universities and some private institutions in Athens, Crete, Lesvos, Corfu, Cephalonia, Arta, Sparta and Volos among others. Greek authorities found out about the envelopes, suspected to be posted from India around 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 hospital after they complained of allergic reactions in their mouth, nose and eyes. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection of Greece had claimed that the "suspicious substance" found in the packets was an industrial chemical - probably an irritant used in the production of adhesives and printing ink - and Greek laboratories are analysing it. Indian companies export various items including dyes, chemicals, machinery, automobiles and auto partsto Greece.