Galery

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Around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night, immigrants from the detention centre for immigrants in Amigdaleza rebelled, refusing to return to their sleeping quarters. They protested against the decision according to which their stay there can be extended by a period of 12 to 18 months. They immediately started setting mattresses on fire in the yard and about 10 police officers were injured after they were closed in the office of the head of the department and attacked with stones and other objects.

Picture: www.real.gr

The riot police forces immediately headed to the centre, as well as the group for crime prevention, and four fire engines in order to extinguish the fires, which had meanwhile spread to various parts of the building.

Picture: www.real.gr

The riot police forces used light bombs and tear gas in order to bring the rebel under control and lift their colleagues’ blockade.

Loud screams could be heard around the place and the smell of chemicals and tear gas was also evident. Reportedly, many immigrants managed to escape and the police are now searching the area in order to find them.

Picture: www.real.gr

Around 12:30 the situation in the centre of emigrants was brought under control, the fires were extinguished after the intervention of the fire-fighting department, and there was peace. It was not clear, however, whether all rebellious emigrants have returned to their places of detention, and whether those who escaped have been found.

Picture: www.real.gr

Speaking to naftemporiki.gr, Mayor of the region Aharnes Sotiris Douros characterised the rebellion as inevitable and noted that the municipal government has been warning the state about the risk of such events for a long time, since, according to him, the conditions at the centre were unbearable.

The Security Service of Attica is investigating the case.

So far, the investigation has identified 41 foreigners involved in the events (17 Pakistanis, 9 Afghans, 14 Bangladeshis and 1 Moroccan) who have been arrested. The involvement of others is also being investigated. Those arrested will face charges of criminal nature - infringement of the detention, causing bodily harm, resistance, escape and causing damage. Those arrested will appear before the district prosecutor's office in Athens.