Protesters defy ban in Greece: 39 people detained
In the Greek capital of Athens, police detained far-right activists and anti-fascist protesters who defied a protest ban declared in the Attica Region.
AA
According to a statement by the Hellenic Police, 39 people were detained, including protesters who clashed with police at Victoria Square and Monastiraki, as well as individuals deemed suspicious during checks conducted in and around Athens.
PROTESTERS WHO DEFIED THE BAN ENCOUNTERED POLICE OBSTRUCTION
Protesters attempting to gather in the Neo Irakleio neighborhood following a call to action by far-right groups—marking the 10th anniversary of the killing of two members of the racist Golden Dawn party, which the Greek judiciary has declared a criminal organization—encountered police obstruction. In response to the far-right groups' call to action, anti-fascist groups that had pledged to meet at the same location with a "counter-protest" call also faced police intervention.
POLICE INTERVENED WITH TEAR GAS
In Victoria Square in central Athens, a scuffle broke out between some individuals returning from Neo Irakleio and police units.
A fight also broke out between far-right groups and anti-fascist groups in Monastiraki Square. Police attempted to disperse the crowd with tear gas.
A 24-HOUR PROTEST BAN HAD BEEN IMPOSED
The Hellenic Police had implemented extensive security measures and imposed a ban on gatherings throughout the entire Attica Region, including the capital Athens, from 06:00 on Wednesday to 06:00 on Thursday.
Far-right elements and anti-fascist groups had called for protests at the same location with an hour's difference. Following these calls for action, over 3,000 police officers were deployed in the region.
Measures were also increased at the country's border crossings due to concerns that individuals might arrive from abroad to participate in the far-right groups' protest in Greece. It was reported that 21 Italian citizens were detained yesterday at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport on suspicion of intending to participate in the protest planned by far-right groups.
According to a report by the Greek state broadcaster ERT, 21 far-right Italian citizens who arrived at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport late last night were detained and taken to the Aliens Division of the Police Headquarters for deportation.