Clashes between extreme rightists, leftists in Athens injure 3 people

At least three people were injured and taken to hospital during clashes that occurred in central Athens on Saturday between police, protestors and supporters of extreme right (Chrysi Avgi) and Leftist groups that had organised rallies in the city centre. Tear gas was used to disperse warring far-right supporters and Leftist youths that came to blows on Stadiou Street.

At around 14:00, meanwhile, police clashed with left-wing, anti-establishment youths that had set up road blocks and cut off traffic on Panepistimiou Street. The youths responded by attacking police with stones and bits of wood and were finally forced to scatter into surrounding side-streets when police again used tear gas against them.

According to a police announcement, the later incidents were triggered when a group of a Leftist supporters that had gathered at Klathmonos Square started to move toward the Propylaia of Athens University, where they joined with another group carrying out a pre-rally over genetically modified foods at Syntagma Square.

The protestors then blocked off Panepistimiou street and a detachment of riot police attempted to drive them away, resulting in a clash and attacks with stones. Police said that some of the protestors took refuge within the university campus.

Three injured in clash between far-right and Leftist groups

Three people were injured in clashes between rival demonstrations organised by ultra-right-wing supporters and extreme Left and anti-establishment groups on Saturday. Members of the two rallies came to blows on Stadiou Street in central Athens at around 11:00 in the morning.

Two of the people injured were hit by stones and a third was stabbed with a knife, while all three are now being treated at Evangelismos Hospital.

Police said the far-right groups had gathered at Kolokotroni Square, while the opposing Leftists groups had gathered at nearby Klathmonos Square. At one point, both groups were making their way down Stadiou Street and started attacking each other with stones, lengths of wood and other objects.

The police intervened and dispersed the rival groups by using teargas, while two people were injured and taken to hospital. Police did not specify whether the injured belonged to either of the two rival factions or were unlucky passers-by.

At around midday, the far-right supporters were still at Kolokotroni Square and the Leftist supporters at Klathmonos but the situation had calmed down. The far-right [Wiki:Golden_Dawn Chrysi Avgi]? supporters departed from the area late on Saturday afternoon, after talking with the public prosecutor and the commanding officer of the police contingent. They had originally planned a rally at Kolokotroni Square at 19:00 on Saturday to mark the "anniversary of Imia".

At the same time, the Leftist and anti-establishment groups had planned an anti-racism rally in the same place at 14:00 in the afternoon, possibly in order to prevent the later rally by the far-right groups.

Both groups gathered earlier, however, leading to the violence.

♠ Courtesy of ANA-MPA