Written by Sreya Vempati
In capital Athens, around 5000 Greeks gathered in protests against police brutality, which have since turned violent. Clashes between demonstrators and police officers broke out.
The demonstrations are in response to a video depicting a police officer beating a man at the Nea Smyrni square.
The Video
The man, who has been identified by local media as 29-year-old Alexandros, appears to be shouting “I’m in pain” as passers-by expressed anger towards the officer for engaging in such violent acts in the square, which is popular with young families.
According to Greek police, they had been summoned to the square over multiple reports of families breaching coronavirus restrictions. Alexandros said that he attempted to reason with police after they attempted to fine families 300 euros for breaking the rules when one of the officers began beating him.
Protesters responded by carrying banners reading “cops out of our neighbourhoods”.
Protests Turn Violent
Aside from the large gatherings, a small group of protesters broke off from the main protests and began throwing petrol bombs and stones at police officers and stations. The police responded by using tear gas, gasoline bombs, flash grenades and water cannons.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a statement strongly condemning the violence. He said that “blind rage leads nowhere” and urged that “these scenes of violence must be the last.”
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