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live Clashes, tear gas and a beating on a journalist break a spectacular procession against the pension reform

04 February 2016 / 16:02:52  GRReporter
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Serious clashes between the anarchists and members of the riot police forces have almost spoiled the impressive strike rally in Athens. Currently Syntagma Square outside the Greek Parliament is in flames, tear gas and smoke from Molotov petrol bombs.

Photo: EUROKINISSI / Stelios Missinas, Source: iefimerida.gr

Clashes are ongoing in central Athens, between Stadiou and Pesmadzoglu streets and in the neighbourhood of Exarcheia.

Photo: EUROKINISSI / Stelios Missinas, Source: iefimerida.gr

Earlier, unknown attackers beat up a journalist of the municipal radio Athens 984 who was covering the strike protests for the media. The journalist was taken by ambulance to hospital with traces of hits all over his body.


Photo: lifo.gr

There are clashes in Thessaloniki too, which wounded two dentists who took part in the strike procession. Earlier, the protesting farmers tried to break down with a tractor the iron door of the Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace.

The strike involves representatives of all professional groups in the public and private sectors, freelancers, farmers, taxi drivers, unemployed and pensioners. It is significant that in a number of major cities such as Thessaloniki, Larisa and more all shops and restaurants are closed.


The central covered market in Thessaloniki, Source: huffingtonpost.gr

The central rally of the Greek unions GSEE and ADEDY began at 11:00 in Klafthmonos Square, whereas the supporters of the Communist Party of Greece had gathered in Omonia Square half an hour earlier.

Shortly after 03:00 pm, the traffic resumed on the central Athens streets that had been closed since morning due to the procession. The only exception is Patision Street that starts from Omonia Square. The anarchist groups are there, which previously caused extensive damage and heavy clashes in various places in the region of the Archaeological Museum to Syntagma Square. So far, the police have apprehended two people for involvement in the riots.

Photo: huffingtonpost.gr

Early afternoon most of the anarchists separated in the neighbourhood of Exarcheia. Groups of youths with covered faces are still throwing marble pieces at the police forces around the square, which is surrounded with bins on fire.

According to the police sources, the youths have closed off Stournari Street and for now, they do not seem to be planning to withdraw inside Exarcheia. A police helicopter is flying over the neighbourhood, sending footages of the situation to the operations centre of the police station in Attica. The same sources indicate that so far the situation has been under the control of the authorities that are aiming to isolate the anarchists in Exarcheia to prevent the likelihood of them causing massive damage in the rest of central Athens.

A little earlier a group of anarchists attacked with Molotov bombs the headquarters of PASOK on Harilaou Trikoupi Street in Exarcheia, thrоwing them at the riot police officers who guarded the building.

To be continued

Tags: SocietyStrikeProtest marchPension reformAnarchistsClashes with policeBeating on journalist
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